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A  HISTORY  OF  THE  NATIONAL  CEMETERY  FROM  ITS  ESTABLISHMENT 
TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME,  WITH  SKETCHES  OF  THE  HISTORIC  PERSONAGES 
WHO  OCCUPIED  THE  ESTATE  PREVIOUS  TO  ITS  SEIZURE  BY  THE 
NATIONAL  GOVERNMENT — PARKE  CUSTIS  AND  HIS  TIMES — THE  CAREER 
OF  LEE,  WITH  DESCRIPTIONS  OF  LIFE  IN  VIRGINIA  DURING  THE  EARLY 
PART   OF   THE   CENTURY. 


By  KARL  DECKER  and  ANGUS  McSWEEN. 


Published    by    the    Decker    and    McSween    Publishing    Company, 
Washington,  D.  C. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1892,  by 

Earl  Decker  and  Angus  McSwben, 

in   the   Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


Gibson  Brothers, 

printers  and  bookbinders. 

washington   d.  c. 


A^  0  3 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  this  work  to  the  public  the  authors  feel  that  not- 
withstanding the  labor  and  care  exercised  in  its  preparation  the 
subject  is  one  which  is  capable  of  still  greater  development.  A 
complete  history  of  the  famous  old  place  would  be  a  history  of 
the  development  of  American  political  institutions  and  customs, 
the  history  of  modes  and  fashions  now  long  extinct,  and  the  intel- 
lectual, moral,  and  industrial  changes  that  have  taken  place  in  the 
land  from  the  time  the  colonists  first  severed  with  their  swords 
the  knot  that  bound  them  to  Great  Britain,  and  set  up  a  people's 
government  under  the  protecting  folds  of  the  stars  and  stripes. 
For  with  all  this  is  Arlington  closely  associated. 

In  the  present  volume  the  authors  have  endeavored  to  show  the 
historic  importance  of  the  place,  and  in  doing  so  present  for  the 
first  time  an  authentic  account  of  Parke  Custis  and  the  state  of 
society  during  his  lifetime,  together  with  such  portions  of  the  his- 
tory of  General  Lee  as  are  connected  with  the  estate.  The  occu- 
pation of  Arlington  by  the  Federal  troops,  its  seizure  b_y  the 
United  States,  the  legal  proceedings  by  which  the  Government 
perfected  its  title,  the  establishment  of  the  national  cemetery  and 
its  growth  to  the  present  time,  are  all  described  in  the  work  with 
a  completeness  of  detail  such  as  the  subject  demands. 

The  fact  that  so  little  was  known,  or  could  be  learned,  by  the 
general  public  concerning  Arlington  caused  the  authors  to  under- 
take the  publication  of  this  volume,  and  they  feel  assured  that  its 
value  to  every  student  of  American  history,  as  well  as  to  the  many 
whose  comrades  and  relatives  lie  beneath  the  Arlington  sod,  will 
be  recognized  and  appreciated.  In  preparing  the  work  the  au- 
thors obtained  their  information  from  the  records  of  the  War  De- 

J) 
M331742 


partment,  the  personal  recollections  of  men  now  living  who  were 
connected  with  some  of  the  different  phases  of  Arlington  history, 
and  from  the  collection  of  historic  documents  in  the  possession  of 
Dr.  Joseph  M.  Toner.  They  have  spared  neither  effort  nor 
expense  to  secure  information  and  can  present  the  work  feeling 
confident  of  its  accuracy  in  every  detail.  The  authors  have 
been  materially  assisted  in  their  work  by  Quartermaster-General 
Batchelder,  U.  S.  A.;  Dr.  Toner,  Supt.  Commerford,  of  the  national 
cemetery,  and  others. 


CONTENTS. 


PA8E. 

Chapter  I      ...........         7 

Arlington. 

Chapter  II    .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .14 

The  founding  of  Arlington  and  early  life  of  Custis. 

Chapter  III  ...........       28 

Custis'  life  at   Arlington — His  associates  and  customs — The  Wash- 
ington relics. 

Chapter  IV   .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .       44 

Lee  at  Arlington — Genealogy  and   early  career — His  service  in  the 
Mexican  War. 

Chapter  V     ...........       60 

Seizure  and  occupation  of  Arlington  by  Federal  forces — First  inter- 
ment. 

Chapter  VI   ...........       68 

Establishment  of  the  National    Cemetery — Bodies    of   soldiers    col- 
lected on  the  battle-fields  and  buried  at  Arlington. 

Chapter  Vn .78 

The  Government's  title  to  Arlington  and  how  obtained — Interesting 
legal  documents. 

Chapter  VIII 86 

The  National  Cemetery— A  general  description  of  Arlington,  with 
an  account  of  some  of  the  distinguished  soldiers  buried  there. 

Chapter  IX .98 

Decoration  Day  and  its  customs — Some  noted   orations — Lincoln's 
Gettysburg  address — lugersoU's  prose-poem  over  the  soldier  dead. 


CHAPTEK  I. 


ARLINGTON. 


Arlington.     The  nation's  monument  to  its  immortal  dead. 

How  imposing  in  its  sublimity;  how  inspiring  in  its  associa- 
tions. Here,  after  life's  fitful  fever,  rest  thousands  of  those  whose 
blood  was  shed  that  the  Union  might  live. 

Historic  memories  cluster  thickly  round  the  name,  and  it  is 
hallowed  by  the  sacrifices  of  a  nation's  homes. 

There  was  scarcely  a  household  but  felt  the  impress  of  the  iron 
hand  of  War,  and  now  that  Peace  has  spread  her  mantle  o'er  the 
land,  healing  the  battle  scars  and  bringing  reconciliation  to  the 
sections,  there  is  scarcely  a  home  in  which  the  thoughts  of  some 
within  do  not  turn  lovingly  to  the  spot  where  fathers,  brothers, 
husbands,  or  sweethearts  of  the  days  gone  by  repose  in  peace- 
ful slumber.  In  many  a  household  the  empty  chair  by  the  fire- 
side still  brings  tears  and  heartaches  to  gray-haired  mothers  and 
widowed  wives,  and  to  such  the  intelligence  that  once  again  the 
patriotic  men  and  women  of  the  nation's  capital  have  strewn  with 
flowers  the  graves  of  the  soldier  dead  at  Arlington  comes  with  a 
softening  touch,  easing  the  reawakened  pain  and  causing  hearts 
to  swell  with  grateful  impulse.  Still  does  the  grandfather  tell 
the  orphan  boy  how  his  soldier  father  served  his  country  well, 
and  then  the  story,  oft  repeated,  ends  in  one  sad  phrase,  "  he  lies 
at  Arlington." 

Thus  from  each  section  of  the  land,  still  sorrowed  by  the  inter- 
necine strife,  a  nation  in  its  sadness  turns  towards  Arlington,  and 
in  thought  pronounces  a  benediction  o'er  the  graves.  No  worthier 
sepulchre  for  those  who  fell  in  battle  could  be  found.  No  better 
monument  could  be  erected  to  their  eternal  fame. 

This  beautiful  necropolis  of  the  nation's  heroes  lies  embowered 
amid  the  majestic  oaks  that  crown  the  Virginia  hills  sweeping 
away  to  the  south  and  west  of  the  National  Capital.  From  the 
portico  of  the  old  mansion  a  panorama  is  unfolded  that  is  worthy 
a  pilgrimage  from  the  antipodes.     To  the, north,  rising  back  from 


8 

the  river  in  terraced  hills,  lies  Georgetown,  the  ancient  and 
honored  burg  whose  wharves  once  gave  welcome  to  shipping  from 
far  distant  foreign  ports,  and  whose  stately  colonial  society, 
tinged  with  a  courtliness  bred  of  constant  contact  with  the  English 
shores,  included  the  oldest  and  most  famous  names  in  our 
country's  history.  Here  rise  the  sturdy  granite  towers  of  the 
Georgetown  University,  bearing  proudly  the  crown  of  a  hundred 
years  of  useful  existence. 

Extending  away  to  the  east,  in  the  alluvial  basin  of  the  Poto- 
mac, lies  the  National  Capital,  its  imposing  structures  of  marble 
and  granite  gleaming  in  the  broad  glare  of  sunlight.  To  the 
south,  across  the  sterile,  barren  plains,  rise  the  spires  of  Alex- 
andria, while  nearer  battle-scarred  earthworks,  silent  relics  of 
the  great  cordon  of  Union  armies  that  lay  around  Washington, 
rear  their  now  peaceful  fronts,  covered  with  sod  and  growths  of 
brush.  Every  foot  of  ground  for  miles  around  was  part  of  the 
scene  of  the  great  drama  of  civil  war. 

The  national  cemetery  lies  on  the  ancient  Georgetown  and 
Alexandria  pike  that  a  century  ago  formed  a  means  of  communi- 
cation between  these  then  thriving  towns.  The  land  sweeps  back 
in  graceful  ascent,  forming  wide,  sloping  lawns  leading  up  to  the 
graceful  structure  that  crowns  the  topmost  height. 

Here  every  year  come  thousands  to  pay  their  quota  of  the 
nation's  debt  to  the  dead.  Men,  women,  and  children  in  an  end- 
less procession  pass  through  the  portals  of  the  national  cemetery 
and,  stealing  from  the  bustling  world  in  which  they  move,  spend 
moments  of  silent  reverence  among  the  dead.  No  one  enters  who 
does  not  realize  more  fully  than  before  the  heroism  of  those  whose 
monuments  they  view,  and  few  there  are  whose  patriotic  impulses 
are  not  quickened  and  their  sentiments  ennobled  by  a  contempla- 
tion of  the  scene  presented. 

The  long  rows  of  white  headstones  and  the  imposing  shafts  of 
marble  and  granite  that  stretch  away  in  picturesque  order  on 
every  hand  bring  recollections  of  a  scene  far  different,  and  before 
the  mind  passes  in  review  memories  of  battles  fought,  where  glo- 
rious deeds  but  led  to  death  ;  where,  for  the  cause  they  loved, 
these  men  gave  up  their  lives.  And  as  these  recollections  of  the 
past  transform  the  sleeping  dead  once  more  into  the  living  heroes, 
the  marble  slabs  and  the  inscriptions  that  they  bear  change  also, 


9 

and  from   the  sterile   name  and  date  that  mark  each  stone  ap- 
pears the  record  of  the  soldier's  glorj. 

But  not  alone  does  Arlington  bring  up  memories  of  the 
war.  For  fancy,  wandering  back  to  days  before  the  civil  strife, 
beholds  scenes  of  homely  gayety  about  the  mansion  ;  sees  throngs 
of  men  distinguished  in  their  time  pass  and  repass  between  the 
columns  of  the  spacious  portico,  and  conjures  up  a  picture  of  a 
genial  host  exercising  the  truest  spirit  of  hospitality  in  the  days 
when  Virginia  was  noted  alike  for  the  treatment  accorded  the. 
stranger  and  the  ability  of  her  men. 

Not  a  stone  or  a  tree  on  the  old  estate  but  is  associated  with 
recollections  of  the  noblest  period  of  the  nation's  history.  We  see 
the  lofty  example  and  precepts  of  Washington  finding  later  expres- 
sion in  his  foster-son,  George  Washington  Parke  Custis.  About 
Oustis  we  see  assembled  at  Arlington  a  band  of  guests  composed 
of  men  distinguished  in  the  history  of  the  country.  We  see  the 
progress  of  the  nation  reflected  in  the  personnel  of  those  who 
wander  beneath  the  forest  groves  of  the  old  estate. 

Lafayette  gives  place  to  men  like  Webster  and  Henry  Clay,  and 
they  are  in  turn  succeeded  by  Lee  and  those  who  gathered  about 
that  gallant  officer  before  the  secession  of  States  brought  war  be- 
tween the  sections. 

The  sorrow  of  a  nation,  when  the  death  of  Custis,  the  last  sur- 
viving member  of  the  Mount  Vernon  household  takes  place,  is 
shown  at  Arlington  in  the  assemblage  that  gathers  about  his  grave, 
and  nowhere  does  the  gloom  and  sorrow  which  preceded  the  civil 
war  settle  with  stronger  eff'ect  than  at  Arlington.  We  see  Lee, 
flushed  with  success  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union,  struggling  between 
love  for  his  native  State  and  his  duty  to  the  Government  he  had 
served  so  well.  We  see  the  termination  of  his  career  at  Arlington 
in  the  letter  of  resignation  which  he  forwards  to  his  old  com- 
mander. We  see  the  despairing  departure  from  the  scenes  he 
loved  so  well,  and  find  the  home  that  had  been  bright  through 
generations  deserted  and  buried  in  gloom. 

The  sceng  changes,  and  we  see  the  forests  of  the  estate  leveled, 
and  from  every  hillside  spring  white  tents  peopled  by  men  in  war- 
like garb.  We  hear  the  clank  of  sabre,  and  the  forceful  tramp  of 
booted  officers  echoing  through  the  dismantled  rooms  of  the  old 
house.     Earthworks  spring  up  on  every  side,  bristling  with  guns, 


10 

and  the  native  silence  of  the  hills  are  awakened  by  the  blast  of 
bugles  and  the  hoarse  tones  of  command.  We  mark  the  progress 
of  the  Union  forces  in  the  camp  life  at  Arlington.  We  see  the 
tents  that  erstwhile  sheltered  strong  and  courageous  men  made 
now  the  resting-place  of  sick  and  wounded.  We  see  them  as  they 
are  brought  from  distant  battle-fields  and  hear  their  groans,  while 
in  and  out  among  them  rush  the  busy  surgeons. 

Then  one  by  one  the  yellow  mounds  come  into  view  to  mark 
,  the  resting-places  of  the  dead.  We  see  them  accumulate  in  num- 
ber, till  thousands  upon  thousands  of  those  who  fell  are  laid 
beneath  the  sod  of  Arlington.  We  realize  that  without  preconcep- 
tion or  plan  the  estate  has  reached  its  highest  destiny  in  the 
establishment  of  a  national  cemetery.  We  see  it  grow  in  beauty 
and  in  grandeur  till  it  becomes  a  glowing  tribute  to  the  valor  of 
those  who  died  in  battle,  and  to  it  living  soldiers  look  with  pride 
where  they,  too,  will  find  a  worthy  sepulchre.  We  see  the  nation's 
most  honored  heroes  laid  to  rest  on  the  beautiful  slope  before  the 
mansion,  and  with  swelling  hearts  watch  the  pageant  that  attends 
these  final  ceremonies.  We  see  in  each  recurring  year  old  and 
young  assemble  at  these  graves  to  deck  them  with  the  fairest  flowers, 
and  see  the  outflow  of  the  nation's  Avorthiest  sentiment  in  the 
pride  and  care  bestowed  upon  the  graves. 

To  the  thousands  of  visitors  to  Arlington  the  spot  where  stands 
the  grave  of  Gen.  Sheridan  is  one  of  greatest  interest,  and  few 
there  are  who  do  not  pay  their  tribute  of  respect  to  the  worth  and 
courage  of  so  brave  an  officer. 

The  ceremonies  attending  the  burial  of  Sheridan  at  Arlington 
were  of  such  an  imposing  character  and  were  so  widely  heralded 
forth  to  the  world  through  the  columns  of  the  press  that  the  inci- 
dent marks  one  of  the  most  noted  dates  in  the  history  of  the 
cemetery. 

On  the  hot  August  day  when  the  body  of  Sheridan  was  borne 
to  the  tomb  the  streets  of  Washington  resounded  again  to  the 
heavy  clatter  of  cavalry  troops,  the  dull  rumbling  of  guns  and 
caissons,  and  the  marching  and  countermarching  of  regiments  of 
infantry  in  solemn  cadence.  The  long  funeral  procession  passed 
slowly  toward  Arlington  through  the  streets  of  Washington,  the 
waving  plumes  of  the  cavalry- and  the  glistening  lines  of  bayonets 
mingling  softly  with  the  fluttering  bits  of  crape  that  decked  hel- 
met and  gun-barrel. 


11 

The  burial  services  are  memorable  as  being  among  the  most  im- 
posing ever  witnessed.  Thousands  gathered  on  the  sloping  hill- 
side, surrounding  the  great  hollow  square  formed  by  the  military 
escort,  and  bowed  in  silent  reverence  as  the  brief  words  of  the 
solemn  burial  service  floated  out  upon  the  still  air.  Many  there 
were  who  remembered  the  first  burial  at  Arlington  in  the  days  of 
the  war  and  the  contrast  was  forced  home  when,  as  the  body  was 
lowered  into  the  grave,  the  sharp  rattling  tire  of  the  rifles  rang  out 
in  successive  salutes  to  the  dead  leader  and  hero.  Slowly  the 
white  smoke  lifted  and  settled  among  the  tree-tops,  slowly  the 
vast  throng  dispersed,  and  Arlington  was  left  with  its  immortal 
dead. 

As  evening  drew  on,  all  evidence  of  metropolitan  life  vanished 
from  the  solemn  scene.  A  solitary  sentinel  paced  with  slow  step 
along  the  brow  of  the  hill,  his  feet  slashing  with  a  drear,  weird 
sound  through  the  soaked  and  sodden  grass  as  he  passed  the 
newly-made  yellow  mound  standing  out  in  relief  against  the  dull 
monochrome  of  the  misty  gray  sky.  Overhead  a  few  heavy- 
winged  crows  flapped  lazily  to  the  nests  in  the  trees  below  the 
house,  and  dark,  mysterious  bats  whirled  quickly  and  silently 
about  through  the  gloom-stricken  trees  and  darker  shadows  of  the 
now  deserted  portico. 

Gradually  all  sight  of  the  city  faded  from  view,  and  Arlington 
seemed  to  withdraw  an  immeasurable  distance  from  the  busy  walk 
of  life,  and  carry  its  treasured  dead  with  jealous  care  into  the 
sanctity  of  the  forest  primeval.  Slowly  the  heavy,  sodden  trees- 
seemed  to  clgse  in  upon  the  grave  and  its  occupant,  and  long,, 
ghostly  shadows  fell  across  it  from  these  guards  of  nature.  The 
heavy- winged  messengers  of  night  flew  drowsily  along,  causing  the 
sentinel  ever  and  anon  to  start  in  nervous  fear.  The  drab  pillars, 
stood  out  from  the  mansion  in  ghostly  relief,  and  the  whole  scene 
was  a  study  in  dull  gray. 

Again,  when  the  great  Admiral  was  laid  to  rest,  vast  crowds- 
thronged  the  hillsides  of  Arlington  and  performed  the  last  offices^ 
of  friendship  and  admiration.  These  two,  Sheridan  and  Porter, 
lie  side  by  side  at  Arlington  and  as  the  dial  of  inexorable  time 
strikes  off  the  hours  of  the  few  remaining  great  ones  of  our  nation's- 
saddest  war,  they  too  will  lie  on  the  sloping  hillside  that  looks- 
toward  Washington. 


12 

This  is  the  Arlington  of  to-daj,  rich  in  memories,  hallowed  by 
associations ;  the  mausoleum  of  the  greatest  and  the  bravest ;  the 
ast  dread  assembly  ground  where  meet  the  rank  and  file  of 
American  valor  in  brotherly  comradeship. 

Over  the  officers  who  lie  at  Arlington  there  are  imposing 
monuments,  with  lengthy  inscriptions  setting  forth  their  valorous 
deeds  and  praiseworthy  achievements.  Over  the  private  soldier, 
who  lies  with  his  comrades  under  long  lines  of  green  mounds  in 
regimental  array,  there  is  only  a  small  slab,  bearing  a  name  and 
date,  with  scant  room  for  an  epitaph.  At  every  roadside  and  at 
every  by-path  leading  into  the  general  sections,  however,  are 
tablets  bearing  an  epitaph  greater  in  language  and  sentiment  than 
the  mere  empty  words  of  ordinary  eulogium. 

These  are  stanzas  from  the  great  elegiac  poem  of  Col.  Theodore 
O'Hara  : 

The  Bivouac  of  the  Dead. 

The  muffled  drum's  sad  roll  has  beat 

The  soldier's  last  tattoo  ; 
No  more  on  life's  parade  shall  meet 

That  brave  and  fallen  few. 

On  Fame's  eternal  camping  ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  Glory  guards  with  solemn  round 

The  bivouac  of  the  dead. 

No  rumor  of  the  foe's  advance 

Now  swells  upon  the  wind  ; 
No  troubled  thought  at  midnight  haunts 

Of  loved  ones  left  behind. 

No  vision  of  the  morrow's  strife 

The  warrior's  dream  alarms ; 
No  braying  horn  nor  screaming  fife 

At  dawn  shall  call  to  arms. 

The  neighing  troop,  the  flashing  blade, 

The  bugle's  stirring  blast ; 
The  charge,  the  dreadful  cannonade. 

The  din  and  shout  are  past. 

Rest  on,  embalmed  and  sainted  dead. 

Dear  as  the  blood  ye  gave ; 
No  impious  footsteps  here  shall  tread 

The  herbage  of  your  grave. 


13 

Nor  shall  your  glories  be  forgot 
While  Fame  her  record  keeps, 

Or  Honor  points  the  hallowed  spot 
Where  Valor  proudly  sleeps. 

Nor  wreck,  nor  change,  nor  Winter's  blight, 
Nor  Time's  remorseless  doom. 

Shall  dim  one  ray  of  holy  light 
That  gilds  your  glorious  tomb. 


CHAPTER   II. 

THE   FOUNDING    OF   ARLINGTON   AND    EAELY   LIFE   OF   CU8TIS. 

Way  back  in  the  early  years  of  the  century  George  Washington 
Parke  Custis,  the  adopted  son  of  George  Washington,  built  Ar- 
lington House  and  established  the  estate  in  which  the  National 
Cemetery  now  stands.  It  stands  as  a  connecting  link  between  the 
historic  time  of  struggle,  in  which  the  Government  was  first  estab- 
lished, and  the  later  and  equally  important  years  of  strife  that  saw 
the  principles  for  which  the  colonists  fought  once  more  trium- 
phant, and  the  fabric  of  Constitutional  Government  more  firmly 
based  upon  a  federation  of  loyal  States. 

With  every  important  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  country  Ar- 
lington has  had  its  connection.  It  brings  forth  recollections  of 
Washington  as  vividly  as  phantoms  of  the  past  century. 

The  life  of  its  owner  and  founder  is  one  of  the  brightest  in- 
stances of  what  a  country  gentleman  of  seventy-five  years  ago 
could  be.  It  was  the  home  of  General  Robert  E.  Lee  while  he 
was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  officers  of  the  United  States 
Army,  and  finally,  surrounded  by  the  graves  of  those  immortal 
heroes  of  the  Civil  War,  it  stands  out  a  monument  to  American 
patriotism  and  courage. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  tell  in  exactly  what  connection  Arling- 
ton appears  most  interesting,  and  only  by  relating  its  history  in 
what  might  be  termed  chronological  order  can  a  full  appreciation 
of  its  historical  importance  be  obtained.  It  was  known  and  held 
as  an  estate  by  various  persons  long  before  the  Revolution,  having 
been  originally  a  portion  of  a  grant  made  by  Sir  William  Berkeley, 
Governor  of  Virginia,  to  Robert  Howsen,  in  1669.  After  that  it 
passed  into  the  Alexander  family,  from  which  the  city  of  Alexan- 
dria took  its  name,  and  from  the  Alexanders  it  was  purchased  by 
John  Parke  Custis,  the  son  of  Martha  Washington,  and  the  im- 
mediate ancestor  of  George  Washington  Parke  Custis.  It  is  with 
the  life  of  the  latter  that  the  history  of  the  estate  properly  begins. 

Born  and  reared  under  the  most  remarkable  circumstances, 
and  surrounded  by  aU  that  was  best  in  the  way  of  colonial  refine- 


]5 

ment  and  culture,  George  Washington  Parke  Custis  stamped  the 
impress  of  his  own  character  upon  the  home  he  established. 
The  location  and  architecture  of  the  house  indicate  culture  and 
refined  comfort,  while  the  immensity  of  the  estate,  the  beauty  of 
the  lawns,  the  broad  and  well-kept  drives,  and. the  ample  provis- 
ion everywhere  for  the  comfort  of  both  man  and  beast  show  the 
indelible  traces  of  the  genial  and  hospitable  gentleman. 

In  many  respects  the  founder  of  Arlington  was  a  remarkable 
man.  He  had  good  attainments  and  displayed  much  originality 
of  thought,  and  force  of  expression,  both  in  his  writings  and 
speeches,  but  he  was  lacking  in  ambition  and  accomplished  very 
little. 

Over  his  early  training,  Washington  had  exercised  the  closest 
supervision.  Having  devoted  all  the  best  years  of  his  own  life  to 
the  service  of  his  country,  the  great  patriot  was  anxious  that  this 
his  adopted  son  should  be  so  reared  that  both  in  the  legislative 
halls  and  on  the  field  of  battle  he  would  be  able  to  serve  the  Re- 
public, not  so  much  with  honor  to  himself  as  with  profit  to  the 
nation.  But  in  Custis,  Washington's  hopes  were  never  realized. 
Always  a  lover  of  his  country,  he  was  willing  at  any  time  to  take 
up  arms  in  her  defence,  but  he  cared  nothing  for  the  turmoil  of 
public  life  and  preferred  the  soft  arts  of  peace,  and  the  quiet  se- 
clusion of  his  beautiful  country  home,  to  the  vain  search  for  glory 
on  the  tented  field,  or  a  factional  strife  for  political  supremacy. 

The  Custis  family  was  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  country  at  the 
time  of  the  Revolution,  and,  in  the  owner  of  Arlington,  was  com- 
bined with  the  Parke  family  of  Virginia.  For  generations  pre- 
ceding the  final  separation  of  the  colonies  from  the  mother 
country,  the  scions  of  these  two  families  had  distinguished  them- 
selves, both  at  home  and  abroad,  and  with  each  successive 
achievement  had  won  renown  and  wealth  for  themselves,  and  had 
added  lustre  to  the  fame  of  colonial  chivalry.  As  early  as  1687 
we  find  that  a  commission  was  granted  Major  General  John 
Custis,  by  Johannes,  Lord  Howard  of  Effingham,  His  Majesty's 
Lieutenant  Governor  of  Virginia,  as  collector  of  customs  in  cer- 
tain sections  of  Virginia.  A  grandson  of  this  General  Custis  mar- 
ried the  daughter  of  Daniel  Parke  and  brought  about  a  union 
of  these  two  leading  families. 

Daniel  Parke  was  at  this  time  the  most  distinguished  and  one 


of  the  most  remarkable  men  that  the  colonies  had  produced.  He 
was  born  in  Virginia,  but  passed  most  of  his  life  in  England.  He 
distinguished  himself  as  a  soldier,  and  at  the  battle  of  Blenheim 
served  as  an  aide-de-camp  to  the  Duke  of  Marlborough.  When 
the  great  battle  had  been  fought  and  won,  it  was  Col.  Parke  that 
Marlborough  selected  to  bear  the  tidings  to  the  Queen  of  England. 
At  the  time,  such  a  commission  was  esteemed  a  high  honor,  and 
it  was  customary  for  the  Queen  to  present  the  bearer  of  such  in- 
telligence with  a  reward  of  £500.  Col.  Parke,  however,  was  a 
wealthy  man,  and  cared  little  for  money.  He  requested  that  in- 
stead of  a  purse  the  Queen  present  him  with  a  portrait  of  herself ; 
this  she  consented  to  do,  and  among  the  treasures  which  the 
Colonel  afterwards  prized  most  highly  was  a  painting  of  Queen 
Anne,  done  in  miniature  and  set  with  diamonds.  Col.  Parke  was 
afterwards  commissioned  a  general  and  appointed  Governor  of 
the  Leeward  Islands,  a  promotion  that  cost  him  his  life. 

An  old  book  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Misses  Lee,  and  for 
many  years  on  the  bookshelves  at  Arlington,  written  by  George 
French,  contains  an  account  of  the  administration  of  Col. 
Parke  at  Antigua  and  of  the  soldierly  manner  of  his  death. 

A  rebellion  had  risen  in  Antigua  and  Col.  Parke  had  be- 
come obnoxious  to  a  seditious  faction.  Against  overpowering 
odds  he  waged  unsuccessful  battle  until,  driven  back  to  his  house, 
bereft  of  his  command,  he  foiind  himself,  with  scarcely  a  second, 
in  a  personal  defence.  He  defied  the  whole  strength  of  the  rebels, 
however,  until  at  last  he  received  a  shot  in  the  thigh,  which, 
though  not  mortal,  disabled  him  and  he  fell  into  the  enemy's 
hands.  The  story  of  his  death  is  best  told  in  the  graphic  words 
of  the  homely  but  thrilling  narrative  of  the  ancient  chronicler : 

"They  had  now  an  opportunity  to  send  him  away  to  what 
place  and  in  what  manner  they  think  fit,  but  instead  thereof  they 
use  him  in  the  utmost  contempt  and  inhumanity.  They  strip  him 
of  his  clothes,  kick,  spurn  at,  and  beat  him  with  the  butts  of  their 
muskets,  by  which  means,  at  last,  they  break  his  back.  They 
drag  him  out  into  the  streets  by  a  leg  and  arm,  and  his  head 
trails  and  beats  from  step  to  step  of  the  stone  stairs  at  the  en- 
trance of  his  house,  and  he  is  dragged  on  the  coarse  gravelly  street, 
which  raked  the  skin  from  his  bones. 

"These  cruelties  and  tortures  force  tears  from  his  eyes,  and  in 


17 

this  condition  he  is  left  expiring,  exposed  to  the  scorching  sun, 
out  of  the  heat  of  which  he  begs  to  be  removed.  The  good- 
natured  woman,  who,  at  his  request,  brought  him  water  to  quench 
his  thirst,  is  threatened  by  one  Samuel  Watkins  to  have  a  sword 
passed  through  her  for  her  humanity,  and  the  water  is  dashed 
out  of  her  hands. 

"  He  is  insulted  and  reviled  by  every  scoundrel,  in  the  agonies 
of  death,  but  makes  no  other  return  but  these  mild  expressions : 
'  Gentlemen,  if  you  have  no  sense  of  honor  left,  pray  have  some 
of  humanity.'  He  gratefully  owns  the  kindness  of  friends  and 
prays  God  to  reward  those  who  stood  by  him  that  day.  At  last 
he  was  removed  into  the  house  of  one  Mr.  John  Wright,  near  the 
place  where  he  lay,  and  there  recommending  his  soul  to  God 
with  some  pious  ejaculations,  he  pays  the  great  debt  of  nature, 
and  death,  less  cruel  than  his  enemies,  put  a  period  to  his  suf- 
ferings. 

"  After  they  had  surfeited  themselves  with  cruelties,  they  plun- 
dered the  General's  house  and  broke  open  his  storehouses,  so 
that  his  estate  must  have  suffered  by  that  day  in  money,  plate, 
jewels,  and  household  goods,  by  the  most  moderate  computation, 
five  thousand  pounds  sterling,  for  which  his  executors  have  ob- 
tained no  satisfaction  to  this  day.  Thus  died  Col.  Parke, 
whose  brave  end  shows  him  sufficiently  deserving  of  the  commis- 
sion he  bore,  and  by  his  death  acquired  an  honor  to  his  memory 
which  the  base  aspersions  of  his  enemies  could  not  over- 
throw." 

This  tragedy  occurred  on  the  7th  of  December,  1810.  But 
while  Col.  Parke  was  chasing  the  bubble  reputation  at  the  can- 
non's mouth,  Mrs.  Parke  was  engaged  in  Virginia  in  rearing  three 
beautiful  and  accomplished  daughters.  In  his  letters  to  his  wife, 
Col.  Parke  assured  her  that  his  heart  was  in  Virginia,  but  a  pro- 
longed absence  from  that  highly  important  organ  seems  to  have 
had  but  little  effect  on  the  gallant  Colonel,  as  his  conduct  shows 
that  he  much  preferred  the  fascinations  of  court  life  and  the  ex- 
citement of  battle  to  the  society  of  his  own  wife  and  daughters. 
They  got  along  well  enough  without  him,  however,  and  the  three 
girls  grew  into  handsome  young  women,  such  as  the  Colonel 
himself  would  have  been  proud  of. 

The  eldest  one,  Frances,  was  a  proud  and  haughty  beauty,  for 


18 

whom  a  mimber  of  young  Virginia  gentlemen  were  sighing. 
Among  the  number  was  Col.  John  Custis. 

Col.  Custis  was  wealthy  and  occupied  an  influential  position  in 
the  colonies.  With  these  factors  in  his  favor  he  was  able  to  carry 
off  the  prize,  and  Miss  Frances  Parke  became  Mrs.  John  Custis. 

The  couple  went  to  live  on  Col.  Custis'  estate  on  the  eastern 
shore  of  Virginia,  which  they  called  Arlington,  in  honor  of  the 
Earl  of  Arlington,  to  whom  Charles  the  Second  had  made  exten- 
sive grants  in  the  Old  Dominion.  Mrs.  Custis,  while  she  had  in- 
herited a  goodly  portion  of  beauty  from  both  her  parents,  had  also 
inherited  from  her  father  some  of  his  sterner  qualities,  and  Custis 
was  not  long  in  finding  out  that,  with  him,  marriage  had  been  a 
failure.  The  union  proved  anything  but  a  happy  one,  and  only 
the  death  of  the  lady  put  an  end  to  their  domestic  infelicity.  As 
a  result  of  his  unhappy  married  life.  Col.  Custis  had  placed,  at 
his  death,  an  inscription  on  his  tombstone  which  clearly  shows 
his  estimation  of  his  wife.  The  inscription  has  been  frequently 
published  before,  but  is  so  remarkable  that  it  is  here  reproduced. 

Under  this  marble  tomb  lies  the  body 

of  the  Hon.  John  Custis,  Esq., 

of  the  city  of  Williamsburg 

and  parish  of  Bruton, 

formerly  of  Hengar's  parish,  on  the 

Eastern  Shore 

of  Virginia  and  County  of  Northampton, 

aged  71  years,  and  yet  lived  but  seven  years, 

which  was  the  space  of  time  he  kept 

a  bachelor's  home  at  Arlington, 

on  the  Eastern  shore  of  Virginia. 

This  monument  was  erected  on  his  estate  at  Arlington,  and  was 
standing  until  a  few  years  ago. 

Two  children  were  the  result  of  this  marriage,  a  son,  Daniel 
Parke  Custis,  and  a  daughter,  Fannie  Parke  Custis.  The  latter 
married  a  Capt.  Dausie,  against  her  father's  wishes,  and  was  never 
afterwards  recognized  by  her  family.  The  son,  Daniel,  married 
the  beautiful  Martha  Dandridge,  afterwards  the  wife  of  Gen. 
George  Washington.  It  was  from  this  union  that  John  Parke 
Custis,  the  father  of  the  philosopher  of  Arlington,  sprung.  The 
marriage  of  young  Custis  and  Martha  Dandridge  was  one  of  the 
big  social  event  of  colonial  times.     The  young  lady  had  been  the 


19 

reigning  belle  at  Williamsburg,  where  the  royal  governors  of  the 
colony  held  their  court,  and  her  marriage  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  entire  official  circle. 

After  their  marriage  they  went  to  live  at  what  was  then  the 
seat  of  the  Custises,  on  the  banks  of  the  Pamunkey,  where  their 
union  was  blessed  with  four  children,  Daniel  Parke,  Fannie  Parke, 
John  Parke,  and  Martha  Parke.  The  two  oldest  children  died 
very  young,  and  at  the  age  of  thirty  their  father  also  died,  leav- 
ing Mrs.  Custis  a  young  widow,  with  two  small  children. 

She  was  wealthy,  having  come  into  possession  of  all  the  Custis 
estates,  and  handsome,  and  when  her  period  of  mourning  for  the 
late  Mr.  Custis  had  expired,  became  once  more  as  attractive  to 
suitors  as  she  had  been  before  her  marriage.  It  was  therefore 
not  long  before  the  cavaliers  of  the  Old  Dominion  once  more 
*'  came  a-wooing  "  to  the  home  of  the  beautiful  Custis  widow. 

There  was  among  them  a  young  and  distinguished  officer  of  the 
colonial  service,  who  had  already  attracted  attention,  both  by  his 
courage  and  brilliant  abilities  as  a  soldier,  and  his  sterling  qual- 
ities of  mind  and  character.  Except  for  these  qualities,  however, 
the  gentleman  was  little  distinguished  either  by  wealth  or  influ- 
ence, but  this  fact  had  small  weight  with  the  beautiful  widow,  and 
she  was  soon  persuaded  to  cast  off  her  weeds  to  become  the  wife 
of  Col.  George  Washington. 

Of  the  happiness  of  this  union,  the  constant  devotion  of  one  to 
the  other,  and  the  perfection  of  domestic  bliss  which  their  home 
lives  at  Mt.  Vernon  attained,  it  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  volume 
to  treat. 

The  importance  of  the  union  so  far  as  this  work  is  concerned 
lies  in  the  fact  that  by  the  marriage  of  Washington  and  the  Widow 
Custis  the  former  became  the  guardian  and  natural  protector  of 
John  Parke  Custis,  the  head  of  the  Custis  family. 

The  two  children,  John  and  Martha  Custis,  were  still  quite 
young  when  their  mother  became  Mrs.  Washington.  They  were 
taken  to  Mount  Vernon,  and  for  several  years  spent  the  happy 
hours  of  their  childhood  playing  about  the  lawns  that  slope  from 
the  historic  old  mansion  down  to  the  Potomac. 

Of  Martha  little  need  be  said.  In  what  little  was  written  about 
her  by  contemporaneous  historians,  she  is  described  as  being  a 
handsome,  but  exceedingly  dark  brunette.    She  had  a  great  affec- 


20 

tion  for  her  stepfather,  and  he  regarded  her  with  all  the  feeling 
of  pride  and  affection  that  a  man  could  bestow  upon  his  own 
child.  Her  life,  however,  was  a  brief  one,  and  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen she  died  at  Mount  Vernon.  All  her  fortune,  which  she  had 
inherited  from  her  father,  she  bequeathed  to  Washington. 

John  Parke  Custis,  the  other  child,  was  a  sturdy  youth  on 
whom  Mrs.  Washington,  after  the  death  of  her  daughter,  centered 
all  her  affections,  and  in  whom  Washington  took  a  deep  interest. 
Washington  was  exceedingly  anxious  that  he  should  receive  a 
thorough  education,  and  with  this  end  in  view  placed  him  under 
the  care  of  an  Episcopal  clergyman  at  Annapolis,  in  Maryland. 
Young  Custis,  however,  had  little  liking  for  study,  and  finding 
the  restraint  of  the  good  clergyman,  with  whom  he  lodged,  of  the 
mildest  form,  he  spent  a  great  portion  of  his  time  in  hunting, 
and  in  other  pursuits,  a  taste  for  which  he  had  inherited  from 
his  hearty  and  adventurous  ancestors.  Tiring  altogether  of 
his  books,  he  conceived  a  passionate  desire  to  travel,  but 
in  this  he  found  himself  opposed  by  the  indomitable  will  of 
Washington. 

It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  say  that  in  a  conflict  between  the 
two  the  inflexible  determination  of  Washington  prevailed,  and 
young  Custis  was  sent  back  to  his  books. 

But  Custis  was  not  a  youth  who  could  be  totally  suppressed, 
even  by  the  conqueror  of  British  armies,  and  before  very  long  he 
had  found  a  new  diversion  from  his  studies  and  had  become  en- 
gaged to  Eleanor  Calvert,  the  second  daughter  of  Benedict  Calvert, 
of  Mt.  Airy,  Maryland,  a  direct  descendant  from  Lord  Baltimore. 
Custis  was  then  about  eighteen  years  of  age  and  the  news  of  his 
engagement,  which  Washington  regarded  as  another  youthful 
escapade,  was  received  by  that  gentleman  with  great  displeasure. 
He  did  nothing,  however,  to  prevent  the  union,  but  on  the  other 
hand  wrote  to  the  young  lady's  father,  suggesting  that  the  engage- 
ment be  continued,  but  insisting  that  the  marriage  be  deferred 
until  Custis  had  completed  his  education. 

It  was  accordingly  agreed  that  the  youth  should  spend  two 
years  at  Kings  College,  now  Columbia  College,  New  York,  and  he 
-was  sent  there  to  continue  his  studies. 

He  remained  at  college  but  a  few  months,  however,  and  then, 
despite  the  opposition  of  the  elders  on  both  sides,  married  Miss 


21 

Calvert  on  the  3d  of  February,  1774,  when  little  more  than  nine- 
teen years  of  age. 

Custis  took  his  youthful  bride  to  Abbingdon,  an  estate  not  far 
from  Alexandria,  where  four  children  were  born  to  them.  These 
were  Elizabeth  Parke,  who  afterwards  married  Mr.  Law,  a  nephew 
of  Lord  EUenborough  ;  Martha  Parke,  who  was  married  early  to 
Thomas  Peter ;  Eleanor  Parke,  who  married  Lawrence  Lewis,  a 
nephew  of  Washington,  and  George  Washington  Parke  Custis, 
the  owner  of  the  Arlington  estate. 

With  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  John  Parke 
CfUstis  promptly  offered  his  services  to  his  country  and  served 
with  distinction  through  all  the  battles,  as  an  aide  to  General 
Washington.  His  death  was  brought  about  by  camp  fever,  which 
hie  contracted  during  the  siege  of  Yorktown.  The  disease  attacked 
him  very  violently,  just  as  the  siege  was  about  to  end.  He  real- 
ized that  it  would  terminate  fatally,  but  insisted  on  remaining  in 
camp  to  witness  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis.  He  was  supported 
by  his  attendants  to  the  place  where  the  surrender  took  place,  and 
after  he  had  seen  the  sword  of  the  British  commander  turned 
over  to  Washington,  was  removed  to  Eltham,  a  country  place  not 
far  distant.  Washington  followed  him  hastily  the  same  evening, 
but  arrived  at  Eltham  only  a  short  time  before  his  death.  Mrs. 
Custis  was  present  when  her  husband  expired,  and  as  she  stood 
beside  his  death-bed,  weeping  bitterly,  Washington  clasped  her 
tenderly  in  his  arms  and  said,  "  From  this  moment  I  adopt  his 
two  youngest  children  as  my  own." 

In  this  manner  George  Washington  Parke  Custis  and  his  sister 
Eleanor  became  the  children  of  the  first  President,  and  their 
childhood  was  inseparably  connected  with  the  home  life  at 
Mount  Vernon. 

George  Washington  Parke  Custis  was  but  six  months  old  when 
the  death  of  his  father  left  him  to  the  care  of  General  Washington. 
From  that  time  to  the  death  of  Washington  himself,  his  life  was  spent 
principally  at  the  home  of  the  great  patriot,  sometimes  at  Mount 
Vernon  and  a  portion  of  the  time  in  the  household  of  the  Presi- 
dent at  New  York  and  Philadelphia. 

The  war  in  which  the  colonies  had  been  plunged  ended  shortly 
after  his  birth,  and  it  was  with  scenes  of  peace  and  rapidly  extend- 
ing prosperity  that  his  earliest  recollections  were  associated.     He 


22 

was  eight  years  of  age  when,  in  1789,  Washington  was  inaugurated 
the  first  President  of  the  United  States.  Previous  to  this,  the 
boy  had  played  games  with  Lafayette  and  the  other  heroes  of  the 
Revolution,  upon  the  lawns  of  Mount  Vernon,  and  was  as  well 
acquainted  with  all  the  prominent  men  of  the  time  as  a  boy  could 
be.  Tney  were,  in  fact,  about  his  only  playfellows,  and  if  not 
romping  with  them  he  was  toddling  along  by  the  side  of  his  foster 
parent,  listening  with  precocious  gravity  to  some  discussion 
Washington  was  having  with  one  of  his  numerous  and  distin- 
guished visitors. 

When  Washington  moved  to  New  York,  as  President  of  the 
United  States,  little  Custis  and  his  sister  Eleanor  were  taken 
along  and  became  a  part  of  the  Presidential  household,  in  the  old 
Osgood  house,  on  Cherry  street.  Of  his  surroundings  and  asso- 
ciations during  the  eventful  years  he  spent  there,  an  idea  can  be 
best  obtained  from  his  own  description  of  the  Washington  house- 
hold, given  in  his  memoirs  of  Washington.  These  were  published 
after  his  death  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Robert  E.  Lee,  and  can  now 
be  found  only  in  a  few  of  the  more  complete  libraries  of  the 
country. 

"  His  domestic  family,"  Mr.  Custis  says,  speaking  of  President 
Washington,  "  consisted  of  Mrs.  Washington,  the  two  adopted 
children,  Mr.  Lear,  Colonel  Humphreys,  and  Messrs.  Nelson  and 
Lewis,  secretaries,  and  Major  William  Jackson,  aide-de-camp. 

"  Persons  visiting  the  house  in  Cherry  street  at  this  time  will 
wonder  how  a  building  so  small  could  contain  the  many  and 
mighty  spirits  that  thronged  it.  Congress,  Cabinet,  all  public 
functionaries  in  the  commencement  of  the  Government,  were  se- 
lected from  the  very  ^lite  of  the  nation.  Pure  patriotism,  com- 
manding talent,  eminent  services,  were  the  proud  and  indispen- 
sable requisites  for  official  station  in  the  first  days  of  the  Republic. 

"  The  first  Congress  was  a  most  enlightened  and  dignified  body» 
In  the  Senate  were  several  members  of  the  Congress  of  1776,  and 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence — Richard  Henry  Lee, 
who  moved  the  Declaration,  John  Adams,  who  seconded  it,  with 
Sherman,  Morris,  Carroll,  and  others. 

"  The  levees  of  the  first  President  were  attended  by  these  illustri- 
ous men  and  by  many  others  of  the  patriots,  statesmen,  and  sol- 
diers, who  could  say  of  the  Revolution,  "  Magna  pars  fui"  while 


23 

numbers  of  foreigners  and  strangers  of  distinction  crowded  to  the 
seat  of  the  General  Government,  all  anxious  to  witness  the  grand 
experiment  that  was  to  determine  how  much  rational  liberty  man- 
kind is  capable  of  enjoying,  without  that  liberty  degenerating  into 
licentiousness. 

"  Mrs.  Washington's  drawing-rooms  on  Friday  nights  were  at- 
tended by  the  grace  and  beauty  of  New  York.  The  President 
himself  was  always  present,  and  about  him  gathered  the  most  dis- 
tinguished of  the  Revolutionary  heroes." 

Amid  such  scenes  and  with  such  surroundings  young  Custis 
grew  to  manhood.  He  had  constantly  before  him  as  a  guide  to 
his  conduct  and  habits  of  thought  the  lofty  example  of  Washing- 
ton and  his  compatriots,  while  over  his  studies  and  pleasures 
Washington  exercised  a  careful  and  a  fatherly  supervision.  The 
idol  of  his  grandmother  and  the  hope  of  his  foster  father,  the  re- 
straint placed  upon  him  by  his  guardians  was  only  that  which 
might  save  him  from  habits  of  dissipation,  or  licentious  associa- 
tion. It  was  small  wonder,  then,  that  the  boy  should  reach  his 
early  manhood  with  the  loftiest  ideas  of  honor  and  propriety  of 
conduct.  His  unswerving  integrity  was  almost  as  marked  as  that 
of  Washington  himself.  He  abhorred  the  licentious  vices  of  other 
young  men  of  his  age,  while  his  patriotism  and  generosity,  which 
he  breathed  in  with  the  atmosphere  in  which  he  lived,  were  mani- 
fest in  his  character  throughout  his  entire  life. 

But  though  Custis  was  in  the  matter  of  virtue  and  sentiment  a 
credit  to  his  friends,  he  was  woefully  lacking  in  firmness  and  in 
energy.  The  term  dillettante  describes  his  character  exactly.  He 
had  some  knowledge  of  art,  and  at  his  home  in  Arlington  painted 
a  number  of  pictures,  principally  of  battle  scenes,  with  Washing- 
ton as  the  central  figure.  He  was  a  graceful  and  forcible  writer, 
but  his  literary  works  consist  only  of  an  imperfect  series  of  papers 
on  Washington,  some  fragmentary  poems,  and  a  few  poor  dramas. 
He  was  an  orator  capable  of  rare  eloquence,  but  he  never  used 
this  ability  save  at  a  few  funerals  or  on  some  occasion  where  the 
duty  of  welcoming  a  guest  or  of  praising  a  friend  devolved  upon 
him.  Even  as  a  farmer  he  was  a  theorist  and  a  dreamer,  and 
though  he  made  numerous  wise  efforts  to  improve  the  agricul- 
tural methods  of  his  time,  his  weakness  of  purpose  and  lack  of 
ambition  rendered  these  endeavors  abortive.     But  with  all  this. 


24 

his  character  stands  out,  in  the  early  history  of  the  century, 
with  great  prominence,  as  that  of  a  genial  and  accomplished 
gentleman,  simple  and  modest  in  demeanor,  unswerving  in  his 
integrity  and  friendships,  a  lover  of  all  that  was  best  in  his 
fellow-men  and  in  the  institutions  of  his  country.  He  was  such  a 
man  as  historians  ignore  but  mankind  bestows  its  reverence  and 
affection  upon. 

The  weakness  in  the  character  of  Custis  was  very  apparent  to 
Washington  and  caused  him  great  anxiety  and  disappointment. 
"  He  had  a  tear,  for  we  have  seen  it  shed  with  parental  solicitude 
over  the  manifold  errors  and  follies  of  our  unworthy  youth,"  says 
Custis  himself,  in  treating  of  the  character  of  Washington,  but 
the  tears  shed  by  the  General  were  due  entirely  to  his  own  dis- 
appointment. He  had  very  ambitious  hopes  for  his  adopted  son,  and 
it  was  with  bitter  regret  that  he  saw  they  could  never  be  realized. 
Custis  cared  nothing  for  the  allurements  of  public  life.  He  never 
conceived  the  idea  that  there  was  any  likelihood  his  country  would 
need  his  services  as  a  statesman,  and  while  he  entered,  as  a  student, 
into  Washington's  schemes  for  his  future  welfare  with  good- 
natured  complaisance,  he  never  made  the  slightest  effort  to  bring 
about  their  success. 

Custis'  early  education  he  received  from  tutors  at  Mount 
Vernon,  but  when  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age  he  was  sent  to 
Princeton  College,  and  while  there  he  was  constantly  receiving 
letters  from  Washington  urging  him  to  attend  closely  to  his 
studies,  and  finding  fault  at  times  with  the  younger  man's  slow 
progress.  The  correspondence  between  Washington  and  young 
Custis  at  this  period  is  of  considerable  interest.  Custis  is  con- 
stantly veiling  excuses  for  his  own  idleness  under  expressions  of 
the  warmest  admiration  and  affection  for  Washington.  He  ad- 
dresses his  foster  father  in  terms  that  must  have  seemed  to  the 
elder  man  pedantic  and  affected ;  for  in  his  replies  Washington 
pays  no  attention  to  the  well-meant  flattery  which  Custis'  letters 
contain,  but  shows  clearly  that  he  fully  understands  the  youth's 
subterfuges  and  takes  no  care  to  conceal  the  anger  they  cause 
him. 

In  a  letter  written  from  Philadelphia  in  1796,  he  says  to 
Custis : 

"  You  are  now  extending  into  that  stage  of  life  when  good  or 


25 

bad  habits  are  formed  ;  when  the  mind  will  be  turned  to  things 
nseful  and  praiseworthy,  or  to  dissipation  and  vice.  Fix  on 
whichever  it  may,  it  will  stick  by  you;  for  you  know  it  has  been 
truly  said  '  that  as  the  twig  is  bent  so  it  will  grow.'  This,  in  a 
strong  point  of  view,  shows  the  propriety  of  letting  your  inexpe- 
rience be  directed  by  maturer  advice,  and  in  placing  guard  upon 
the  avenues  which  lead  to  idleness  and  vice.  The  latter  will  ap- 
proach like  a  thief,  working  upon  your  passions,  encouraged, 
perhaps,  by  bad  examples,  the  propensity  to  which  will  increase 
in  proportion  to  the  practice  of  it  and  your  yielding. 

"  This  admonition  proceeds  from  the  purest  affection  for  you  ; 
but  I  do  not  mean  by  it  that  you  are  to  become  a  stoic,  or  to  de- 
prive yourself  in  the  intervals  of  study  of  any  recreations  or 
manly  exercises  which  reason  approves. 

" '  Tis  well  to  be  on  good  terms  with  all  your  fellow-students, 
and  I  am  pleased  to  hear  you  are  so  ;  but  while  a  courteous  be- 
havior is  due  to  all,  select  the  most  deserving  only  for  your  friend- 
ships, and  before  this  becomes  intimate  weigh  their  dispositions 
and  characters  well. 

"  True  friendship  is  a  plant  of  slow  growth  ;  to  be  sincere  there 
must  be  a  congeniality  of  temper  and  pursuits.  Virtue  and  vice 
cannot  be  allied,  nor  can  idleness  and  industry, 

"  Of  course,  if  you  resolve  to  adhere  to  the  two  former  of  these 
extremes,  an  intimacy  with  those  who  incline  to  the  latter  of 
them  would  be  extremely  embarrassing  to  you  ;  it  would  be  a 
stumbling-block  in  your  way,  and  act  like  a  millstone  hung  to 
your  neck,  for  it  is  the  nature  of  idleness  and  vice  to  obtain  as 
many  votaries  as  they  can.  I  would  guard  you,  too,  against  im- 
bibing hasty  and  unfavorable  impressions  of  any  one.  Let  your 
judgment  always  balance  well  before  you  decide ;  and  even  then 
where  there  is  no  occasion  for  expressing  an  opinion  it  is  best  to 
be  silent,  for  there  is  nothing  more  certain  than  that  it  is  at  all 
times  more  easy  to  make  enemies  than  friends.  And  besides, 
to  speak  evil  of  any  one,  unless  there  is  unequivocal  proof  of 
their  deserving  it,  is  an  injury  for  which  there  is  no  adequate 
reparation.  For,  as  Shakespeare  says,  '  He  that  robs  me 
of  my  good  name  enriches  not  himself,  but  renders  me  poor 
indeed.'  " 

There  are  a  number  of  other  letters  showing  the  fatherly  solici- 


26 

tilde  of  Washington  for  Custis'  welfare,  all  couclied  in  a  tone  of 
mild  reproof.  As  the  years  pass,  the  reproof  becomes  more  pro- 
nounced until  it  closely  resembles  fault-finding.  For,  in  spite  of 
all  that  Washington  could  do  or  say,  Custis  was  willing  only  to 
do  the  work  he  found  most  agreeable,  and  his  reading  was  of  a 
desultory  character,  such  as  his  own  inclinations  led  to. 

The  young  man  was  transferred  from  Princeton  to  Annapolis, 
where  he  continued  his  studies  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Mc- 
Dowell, president  of  Annapolis  College.  Washington,  in  a  letter 
to  that  gentleman,  in  1798,  gives  an  estimate  of  Custis'  character  and 
ability  which  is  here  valuable.  He  says,  after  explaining  that  a 
fever  had  prevented  his  writing  earlier : 

"  Were  the  case  otherwise,  I  should,  I  confess,  be  at  a  loss  to 
point  out  any  precise  course  of  study  for  Mr.  Custis.  My 
views  regarding  him  have  already  been  made  known  to  you,  and 
therefore  it  is  not  necessary  to  repeat  them  on  this  occasion.  It 
is  not  merely  the  best  course  for  him  to  pursue  that  requires  a 
consideration,  but  such  an  one  as  he  can  be  induced  to  pursue  and 
will  contribute  to  his  improvement  and  the  object  in  view.  In 
directing  the  first  of  these  objects,  a  gentleman  of  your  literary 
discernment  and  knowledge  of  the  world  would  be  at  no  loss, 
without  any  suggestion  of  mine,  if  there  was  as  good  a  disposition 
to  receive  as  there  are  talents  to  acquire  knowledge  ;  but  as  there 
seems  to  be  in  this  youth  an  inconquerable  indolence  of  temper 
and  a  dereliction,  in  fact,  to  all  study,  it  must  rest  with  you  to 
lead  him  in  the  best  manner,  and  by  the  easiest  modes  you  can  de- 
vise, to  the  study  of  such  useful  acquirements  as  may  be  serviceable 
to  himself  and  eventually  beneficial  to  his  country." 

Almost  immediately  after  the  date  of  this  letter  Custis  left  col- 
lege at  Annapolis  and  was  permitted  by  Washington  to  continue 
his  studies  with  a  tutor  at  Mount  Vernon. 

About  this  time  he  was  appointed  a  cornet  of  horse  in  the  army 
and  soon  afterwards  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  aide-de- 
camp to  Gen.  Charles  Cotes  worth  Pinckney,  of  South  Carolina, 
with  the  rank  of  colonel.  A  few  months  afterwards  the  death  of 
Washington  occurred,  and  this  event  had  a  marked  efifect  upon 
young  Custis'  character  and  after-life. 

He  was  sincerely  attached  to  his  foster-father  and  never  lost 
the  feeling  of  extreme  admiration  and  reverence  with  which  Wash- 


27 

ington  had  inspired  him.  But,  with  the  latter's  death,  all  the  am- 
bitious plans  for  Custis'  advancement  vanished  into  thin  air,  and 
the  young  man  became  the  good-natured  and  indolent  gentleman 
of  refined  tastes  such  as  we  find  him  years  afterwards  at 
Arlington.  Washington's  confidence  in  him  is  shown  by  the 
fact  that  in  his  will  he  made  him  one  of  the  executors  of 
his   estate. 


CHAPTER  III. 

CUSTIS'    LIFE    AT    ARLINGTON — HIS     ASSOCIATES     AND     CUSTOMS — THE 
WASHINGTON   RELICS. 

The  death  of  Washington  caused  no  immediate  change  in  the 
domestic  circle  at  Mount  Vernon.  Mrs.  Washington  continued 
to  live  at  the  old  homestead,  and  her  grandson  remained  with  her. 
At  Mrs.  Washington's  death,  two  years  later,  however,  the  estate 
passed  to  other  members  of  the  Washington  family,  and  Custis 
took  up  his  residence  at  Arlington. 

At  this  time  Custis  was  a  very  wealthy  man.  He  had  just 
reached  his  21st  birthday  and  had  succeeded  to  all  the  Custis 
estates  left  by  his  father.  They  consisted  of  extensive  and  fertile 
plantations  in  Westmoreland  county  and  along  the  Pamunkey 
river,  and  the  Arlington  estate,  embracing  about  1,100  acres, 
which  his  father,  John  Custis,  as  already  stated,  had  purchased 
from  the  Alexanders.  In  addition  he  inherited  from  Washington 
a  tract  of  1,200  acres  of  land  lying  north  of  Arlington,  in  Fairfax 
county.  He  possessed  a  large  number  of  slaves,  a  great  many 
horses,  used  in  the  cultivation  of  his  estates,  and  other  forms  of 
property. 

It  was  the  magnificent  location  of  the  Arlington  estate  that 
caused  Custis  to  select  it,  from  among  his  other  possessions,  as 
his  home.  The  Capital  of  the  Nation  had  already  been  moved  to 
Washington,  and  the  growth  of  the  magnificent  federal  city  was 
making  fair  progress.  Within  sight  of  the  Capitol  building  and 
overlooking  the  beautiful  river,  with  which  Custis  had  been 
familiar  from  his  earliest  childhood,  no  better  site  for  a  future 
home  could  possibly  have  been  selected.  It  was  contiguous  to 
the  country  about  Mt.  Vernon,  endeared  to  him  by  so  many 
valued  associations,  and  within  easy  reaching  distance  of  Alexan- 
dria, then  a  centre  for  the  wealth  and  fashion  of  the  Old  Domin- 
ion. 

But  the  Arlington  on  which  Custis  took  up  his  residence  then 
hore  no  resemblance  in  appearance  to  the  Arlington  of  his  later 
years.     The  estate  consisted  chiefly  of  woodland,  with  but  a  few 


29 

hundred  acres  of  cleared  land  lying  below  the  hills,  on  the  banks 
of  the  river.  In  this  cleared  space  stood  the  manor  house,  an  un- 
pretentious dwelling  containing  only  four  rooms.  It  was  located 
near  the  bank  of  what  was  called  the  Little  River,  about  a  mile 
to  the  eastward  of  the  present  mansion,  and  was  surrounded  by  a 
grove  of  magnificent  oaks.  Not  far  below  it  was  the  famous  Cus- 
tis  Spring,  about  which  so  much  has  been  written.  The  crumbling 
walls  of  the  old  mansion  still  stand  to  mark  the  spot  on  which  it 
stood,  and  until  the  occupation  of  the  estate  by  the  Federal 
forces,  it  was  in  a  fair  state  of  preservation.  Within  a  few  years, 
however,  the  building  has  been  almost  completely  demolished  by 
direction  of  the  War  Department,  for  what  purpose  no  one  has 
yet  been  able  to  determine. 

The  house  was  a  very  old  one,  having  been  erected  by  the 
Alexanders  in  the  early  part  of  the  18th  century,  long  before 
the  old  house  at  Mount  Vernon  had  been  thought  of.  Had  it  been 
treated  by  the  Government  with  the  respect  which  the  antiquity 
of  its  origin  merited  it  would  be  now  one  of  the  most  interesting 
relics  of  the  early  history  of  the  country.  But  the  War  Depart- 
ment had  little  more  use  for  the  old  mansion  as  a  relic  than  did 
Custis  as  a  place  of  residence.  It  was  with  him  but  a  temporary 
abode,  and  within  a  year  of  his  leaving  Mount  Vernon  he  began 
the  erection  of  the  splendid  "Arlington  House,"  which,  from  its 
present  condition,  would  seem  to  have  been  built  for  all  time  as  a 
monument  to  its  founder. 

Mr.  Custis,  in  selecting  the  site  for  his  house,  showed  clearly 
his  appreciation  of  the  beautiful,  and  his  artistic  tastes  and  broad 
mental  visions  are  manifest  in  the  structure  which  he  designed 
and  erected. 

The  tall  massive  columns  of  the  portico  are  designed  from  the 
most  perfect  type  of  Greek  architecture,  while  the  broad  hallways 
and  spacious  chambers  are  indicative,  even  in  their  present  dis- 
mantled condition,  of  wholesome  comfort  and  homely  elegance. 

The  house  is  modeled  after  the  ancient  Temple  of  Theseus  at 
Athens,  but  in  adopting  this  design  Mr.  Custis  only  followed  a 
custom  that  prevailed  throughout  the  South,  and,  indeed,  in  some 
parts  of  New  England,  in  the  early  part  of  the  century.  In 
building  his  house,  Mr.  Custis,  however,  brought  the  style  to  a 
higher  state    of    perfection    than  it    had    attained    before,    and 


30 

■''Arlington  House  "  was  known  from  the  time  of  its  erection  till 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  as  the  finest  specimen  of  the  landed 
proprietor's  residence  that  could  be  found  within  the  limits  of  the 
slave  States. 

It  was  built  of  brick,  and  stuccoed,  and  the  material  for  its 
construction  was  produced  on  the  grounds  about  it.  Brick-yards 
were  established  on  a  portion  of  the  estate,  now  part  of  Fort 
Myer,  where  the  bricks  were  burned  under  Mr.  Custis'  own 
supervision. 

Just  about  the  time  the  Arlington  Mansion  was  completed 
Mr.  Custis  married  Mary  Lee  Fitzhugh,  the  daughter  of  Fitzhugh 
of  Chatham,  near  Fredericksburg.  He  was  then  but  twenty- 
three  years  of  age,  while  his  wife  was  but  sixteen.  He  took  his 
bride  to  Arlington  at  once,  and  there,  for  the  next  fifty  years, 
they  lived  a  life  of  the  most  delightful  contentment,  surrounded 
■constantly  by  relatives  and  guests. 

With  the  generous  hospitality  of  a  wealtliy  Virginia  planter, 
Mr.  Custis  entertained  lavishly.  All  the  old  revolutionary  heroes 
were  welcome  guests  at  his  board,  while  the  distinguished  men 
of  a  succeeding  generation  delighted  in  visiting  the  hospitable 
farmer. 

Once  comfortably  settled  with  his  bride  in  their  new  and  mag- 
ficent  home,  Mr.  Custis  gave  his  attention  to  improving  the  agri- 
cultural methods  of  the  time.  In  1803  Col.  David  Humphreys 
returned  from  a  mission  to  Spain,  bringing  with  him  one  hundred 
fine-wooled  Merino  sheep. 

Custis  took  a  great  interest  in  the  matter  of  stock  breeding  and 
domestic  manufactures,  and  he  saw  in  the  advent  of  the  Merinos 
a  promise  of  the  opening,  in  America,  of  woolen  cloth  making. 
At  that  time  all  the  cloth  of  this  character  used  in  the  country 
was  imported  from  England,  and  could  only  be  obtained  at  con- 
siderable cost.  The  importance  of  the  matter,  because  of  the 
success  of  the  manufacture  of  cotton  cloth  by  the  Southern  States, 
was  occupying  then  the  thoughts  of  a  number  of  public-spirited 
men. 

To  foster  improvements  in  sheep  and  to  encourage  woolen 
manufacture  at  home,  Mr.  Custis,  in  1803,  called  a  convention 
of  those  interested  in  sheep  husbandry  and  wool  manufacture. 
It  met  at  Arlington  House  and  really  marked  the  beginning  of 


31 

the  woolen-manufacturing  interests  of  the  country.  It  is  not 
known  whether  or  not  this  convention  recommended  the  impo- 
sition by  Congress  of  a  tariff  on  woolen  goods,  but  from  the  views 
held  at  that  time  regarding,  and  the  actual  needs  of,  an  infant  in- 
dustry, it  is  presumed  it  did.  The  convention  also  led  to  the 
adoption  by  Mr.  Custis  of  a  custom  which  rendered  his  fine  estate 
and  himself  famous  throughout  the  country.  He  entered  into 
sheep-raising  with  considerable  ardor,  and  in  succeeding  years 
the  annual  sheep-shearing  at  Arlington  Spring  brought  together 
from  all  parts  of  the  country  an  assemblage  of  men  interested  in 
the  industry,  and  others  distinguished  by  their  ability  in  public 
life.  All  were  the  guests  of  Mr.  Custis,  and  the  occasion  became 
almost  an  annual  festival. 

The  spring  at  which  the  gatherings  took  place  was  at  the  foot 
of  a  wooded  slope,  near  the  bank  of  the  river  and  not  far  from 
where  stood  the  old  Alexander  mansion.  It  was  a  pure  and 
copious  fountain,  gushing  out  from  the  roots  of  a  huge  and  vener- 
able oak  tree,  which  doubtless  stood  there  when  the  Indians  of  a 
former  age  came  thither  to  slake  their  thirst.  Around  the  spring 
a  beautiful  grassy  lawn,  shaded  by  a  variety  of  trees,  extended, 
affording  a  magnificent  resort  for  such  meetings.  Mr.  Custis 
always  presided.  Toasts  were  drunk,  speeches  were  made,  and 
prizes  were  awarded  by  Mr.  Custis  to  the  persons  bringing,  for 
purposes  of  exhibition,  the  finest  specimens  of  sheep.  Generally 
these  ceremonies  took  place  under  the  shelter  of  Washington's 
war  tent,  which  was  brought  out  for  the  occasion  from  among  the 
treasured  relics  of  the  first  President  that  Mr.  Custis  possessed. 

The  host  usually  made  a  stirring  address,  and  in  one  of  his 
speeches,  delivered  while  wool  manufactures  were  yet  unknown  in 
America,  he  said  prophetically  :  "  America  shall  be  great  and  free 
and  minister  to  her  own  wants  by  the  employment  of  her  own  re- 
sources. The  citizens  of  my  country  will  proudly  appear  when 
clothed  in  the  produce  of  their  own  native  soil." 

The  efforts  Mr.  Custis  was  making  in  behalf  of  the  sheep-rais- 
ing industry  attracted  general  attention,  and  among  his  letters  of 
that  time  we  find  several  from  James  Madison,  then  Secretary  of 
State,  and  afterwards  President  of  the  United  States. 

In  one  of  these  Mr.  Custis  is  informed  that  Mr.  Madison  "  of- 
fers for  himself  the  thanks  to  which  Mr.  Custis  is  entitled  from 


32 

his  fellow-citizens  for  his  laudable  and  encouraging  efforts  to  in- 
crease and  improve  an  animal  which  contributes  a  material  so 
precious  to  the  independent  comfort  and  prosperity  of  our  coun- 
try. Mr.  Madison  wishes  that  Mr.  Custis  may  be  amply  gratiified 
in  the  success  of  his  improving  experiments,  and  that  his  patri- 
otic example  may  find  as  many  followers  as  it  merits." 

In  another  letter  on  the  same  subject,  Mr.  Madison  says  :  "  It 
gives  me  pleasure  to  find  your  attention  to  this  interesting  subject 
does  not  relax,  and  that  you  are  successfully  inviting  to  it  other 
public-spirited  gentlemen." 

In  this  matter,  however,  like  in  a  good  many  others,  Mr.  Cus- 
tis understood  the  theory  of  sheep-raising  and  of  arousing  inter- 
est in  the  subject  better  than  he  did  the  practice.  His  own  efforts 
met  with  very  poor  success.  He  established  a  large  flock  of 
Merinos  on  the  hills  of  Arlington,  but  they  were  gradually  kiUed 
off  by  thieves  and  dogs,  until  but  two  animals  remained  to  show 
that  Mr.  Custis  was  still  true  to  his  principles. 

The  absence  of  the  sheep  somewhat  interfered  with  the  suc- 
cessful continuation  of  the  annual  sheep-shearing  gatherings  at 
the  Custis  spring  and  they  were  eventually  abandoned. 

Mr.  Custis  retained  his  interest  in  sheep-raising,  however,  and 
before  his  own  flock  became  extinct  he  had  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  the  manufacture  of  American  woolens  grow  into  an  impor- 
tant industry.  He  also  maintained  a  broad  and  deep  interest  in 
all  other  agricultural  pursuits,  and  for  a  great  many  years  he  was 
an  active  member  and  one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  the  American 
Agricultural  Society. 

When  the  war  of  1812  occurred  Mr,  Custis  served  as  a  volun- 
teer to  oppose  the  British  when  they  entered  Maryland  and 
ascended  the  Potomac  to  attack  the  Capital.  He  fought  in  the 
battle  of  North  Point  as  a  private  soldier.  After  the  war  he  re- 
fused to  accept  any  compensation  for  his  services,  but  rendered 
assistance  to  his  less  wealthy  companions  in  arms  in  prosecuting 
legitimate  claims  against  the  Government. 

During  these  earlier  years  of  the  century  Mr.  Custis  was  widely 
known  as  the  adopted  child  of  George  Washington,  and  as  the 
character  of  that  soldier  and  statesman  was  better  understood 
and  appreciated  by  the  generation  that  succeeded  his,  as  the 
years  passed,  Mr.  Custis  became  more  and  more  an  object  of  re- 


33 

spect  and  veneration.  His  own  character,  too,  entitled  him  to  the 
utmost  consideration  from  his  contemporaries.  He  was  sought 
after  as  a  public  speaker ;  invitations  to  his  home  at  Arlington 
were  coveted  by  the  leading  men  of  the  time,  and  his  friendship 
was  cherished  by  all  he  bestowed  it  upon.  Congress  invited  him 
to  deliver  an  address  to  a  joint  assemblage  of  the  two  houses  on 
the  character  of  his  foster-father,  and  everywhere  he  was  accorded 
the  utmost  respect  and  consideration. 

A  number  of  Mr.  Custis'  speeches  were  preserved  by  his  rela- 
tives, and  they  show  him  to  have  been  a  speaker  of  marked  abil- 
ity and  eloquence.  An  address  he  delivered  on  the  death  of 
General  Lingan  is  still  admired  by  readers,  and  another  speech, 
which  he  delivered  on  the  overthrow  of  Napoleon,  called  forth 
the  most  graceful  acknowledgments  from  the  representative  of 
Russia  at  Washington,  and  from  other  foreign  ministers. 

When  Lafayette  revisited  the  United  States  in  1824,  among 
his  first  visits  was  one  to  Mr.  Custis.  During  Lafayette's  exile 
from  France,  his  son,  George  Washington  Lafayette,  had  lived 
for  a  period  of  several  months  with  Washington  at  Mount  Vernon. 
There  he  had  formed  a  strong  attachment  for  young  Custis,  and 
the  two  renewed  their  friendship  on  this  occasion  with  the  utmost 
warmth.  Lafayette  spent  much  time  with  Mr.  Custis,  and  en- 
riched, during  his  stay,  the  latter's  fund  of  information  concern- 
ing Washington,  from  his  own  reminiscences  of  his  old  com- 
mander. Together  they  visited  the  tomb  of  Washington,  where, 
beside  the  last  resting-place  of  the  country's  greatest  hero,  Mr. 
Custis  presented  the  illustrious  Frenchman  with  a  ring,  in  which 
was  some  of  the  hair  of  the  dead  chieftain.  The  following  ac- 
count of  the  visit  was  found  by  the  authors  in  the  files  of  the  old 
National  Intelligencer,  and  was  published  in  that  paper  immedi- 
ately after  the  occurrence,  on  the  26th  of  October,  1824  : 

"  The  solemn  and  imposing  scene  of  the  visit  of  Lafayette  to 
the  tomb  of  Washington  took  place  on  Sunday,  the  17th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1824.  About  1  o'clock  the  General  left  the  steamboat 
Petersburg^  at  anchor  off  Mount  Vernon,  and  was  received  into  a 
barge  manned  and  steered  by  captains  of  vessels  from  Alexandria, 
who  had  handsomely  volunteered  their  services  for  this  interest- 
ing occasion.  He  was  accompanied  in  the  barge  by  his  family 
and  suite,  and  Mr.  Secretary  John  C.  Calhoun.     On  reaching  the 


34 

shores  he  was  received  by  Mr.  Lawrence  Lewis,  the  nephew  of 
Washington,  and  by  the  gentlemen  of  the  family  of  Judge  Bushrod 
Washington  (the  Judge  himself  being  absent  on  ofl&cial  duties), 
and  conducted  to  the  ancient  mansion,  where,  forty  years  before, 
Lafayette  took  the  last  leave  of  his  *  hero,  his  friend,  and  our 
country's  preserver.' 

"  After  remaining  a  few  minutes  in  the  house  the  General  pro- 
ceeded to  the  vault,  supported  by  Mr.  Lewis  and  the  gentlemen 
relatives  of  the  Judge,  and  accompanied  by  G.  W.  Lafayette  and 
G.  W.  P.  Custis,  the  children  of  Mt.  Yernon,  both  having  shared 
the  paternal  care  of  the  great  chief.  Mr.  Custis  wore  the  ring  sus- 
pended from  a  Cincinnati  ribbon.  Arrived  at  the  sepulchre,  after 
a  pause,  Mr.  Custis  addressed  the  General  as  follows : 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

"  The  General,  having  received  the  ring,  pressed  it  to  his  bosom 
and  replied : 

"  '  The  feelings  which  at  this  awful  moment  oppress  my  heart 
do  not  leave  the  power  of  utterance.  I  can  only  thank  you,  my 
dear  Custis,  for  your  precious  gift  and  pay  a  silent  homage  to  the 
tomb  of  the  greatest  and  best  of  men,  my  paternal  friend.' 

"  The  General  affectionally  embraced  the  donor  and  the  other 
three  gentlemen,  and  gazing  intently  on  the  receptacle  of  departed 
greatness,  fervently  pressed  his  lips  to  the  door  of  the  vault,  while 
tears  filled  the  furrows  of  the  veteran's  cheeks.  The  key  was  now 
applied  to  the  lock,  the  door  flew  open  and  discovered  the  coffins 
strewn  with  flowers  and  with  evergreens.  The  General  descended 
the  steps  and  kissed  the  leaden  cells  which  contained  the  ashes  of  the 
great  chief  and  his  venerable  consort,  and  then  retired  in  an  excess 
of  feeling  which  language  is  too  poor  to  describe.  After  partak- 
ing of  refreshments  at  the  house  and  making  a  slight  tour  of  the 
grounds,  the  General  returned  to  the  shore.  In  descending  the 
hill  to  the  river  the  horses  became  restive.  Some  spirited  young 
men  rushed  forward,  removed  them  from  the  carriage  and  wouid 
have  drawn  the  vehicle  themselves.  But  this  the  General  would 
not  permit,  and,  alighting,  he  walked  to  the  shore,  a  distance  of 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 

"  Previous  to  re-embarkation,  Mr.  Custis  presented  the  Cincin- 
nati ribbon,  which  had  borne  the  ring  to  the  vault,  to  Major  Ewell,  a 
veteran  of  the  Revolution,  requesting  him  to  take  part  of  it  and 


35 

divide  the  remainder  among  the  yonng  men  present,  which  was 
done,  and  a  general  struggle  ensued  for  the  smallest  portion  of  it. 
The  same  barge  conveyed  the  General  to  the  Petersburg,  the 
Marine  Band  playing,  as  before,  a  strain  of  solemn  music.  The 
vessel  immediately  proceeded  on  her  voyage  to  Yorktown.  Not 
a  soul  intruded  upon  the  privacy  of  the  visit  to  the  tomb.  Noth- 
ing occurred  to  disturb  its  reverential  solemnity.  The  old  oaks 
which  grew  around  the  sepulchre,  touched  with  the  mellow  lustre 
of  autumn,  appeared  rich  and  ripe  as  the  autumnal  honors  of 
Lafayette.  Not  a  murmur  was  heard  save  the  strains  of  solemn 
music  and  the  deep  and  measured  sound  of  artillery,  which  awoke 
the  echoes  around  the  hallowed  heights  of  Mount  Vernon. 

"  '  Tis  done !  The  greatest  and  most  affecting  scene  of  the  grand 
drama  has  closed,  and  the  pilgrim  who  now  repairs  to  the  tomb 
of  the  Father  of  his  Country  will  find  its  laurels  moistened  by  the 
tears  of  Lafayette." 

Mr.  Custis  never,  as  already  intimated,  cut  much  of  a  figure  as 
a  public  man.  Most  of  the  public  gatherings  in  which  he  took 
an  active  part,  such  as  the  sheep -raisers'  convention,  and  kindred 
meetings,  were  held  at  Arlington,  where  he  appeared  more  in  the 
character  of  a  host  than  of  an  individual  endeavoring  to  affect 
public  opinion  or  public  events.  He  spent  most  of  his  time  at 
home,  and  there  he  delighted  to  play  the  host  to  whoever  came 
his  way.  He  cared  not  whether  the  wayfarer  that  entered  his 
grounds  was  shabbily  dressed,  or  arrayed  in  purple  and  fine  linen. 
One  was  as  welcome  as  the  other,  and  neither  was  allowed  to  de- 
part until  he  had  feasted  with  his  host  and  pledged  his  health  in 
a  glass  of  something  invigorating.  Prohibitionists  were  scarce  in 
those  days,  although  temperance  was  the  rule  and  not  the  excep- 
tion among  the  better  classes,  so  that  Mr.  Custis'  kindly  enter- 
tainment of  the  stranger  at  his  gates  did  not  call  forth  the  storm 
of  public  condemnation  that  it  would  now.  But  indeed  Custis 
would  have  cared  little  if  it  had.  In  his  home  life  he  cared  about 
as  much  for  what  his  neighbors  and  the  good  gossips  among 
them  might  say  concerning  him  as  did  the  early  American  savages 
for  the  tracts  sent  them  by  the  well-intending  missionary  societies 
of  the  mother  country. 

He  had  very  well-defined  principles  of  his  own,  and  if  he  lived 
up  to  them  he  was  satisfied.     It  was  one  of  his  customs  to  attend 


36 

the  inauguration  of  each  succeeding  President  from  the  time  of 
Washington  until  1857.  But  except  when  some  such  state  occa- 
sion took  him  to  the  Capital  his  visits  to  Washington  were  not 
frequent.  After  the  visit  of  Lafayette  his  public  appearances  be- 
came few  and  far  between.  He  was  then  a  middle-aged  man,  and 
his  home  life,  surrounded  as  it  was  with  so  much  that  brought  to 
him  recollections  of  a  glorious  past,  was  all  that  he  desired. 

He  was  at  this  time  a  sturdy  man,  though  slightly  built.  The 
promise  of  personal  beauty  which  his  early  youth  had  given 
was  not  exactly  fulfilled  in  his  maturer  years.  His  features  were 
sharp  and  irregular,  his  nose  long  and  thin,  his  forehead  low  and 
receding,  his  hair  was  light  and  thin,  and  in  after  years  his  head 
was  bald.  A  firmly  set  mouth  and  a  well-rounded  chin  were  hi& 
best  features,  and  indicated  a  firmness  of  character  which  his  light- 
blue  and  rather  weak  eyes  seemed  to  contradict.  His  cheeks  were 
slightly  sunken  and  gave  to  his  face  a  somewhat  cadaverous  ap- 
pearance, which  was  hardly  improved  by  the  thin  side-whiskers  he 
wore.  He  was  careless  with  his  dress,  and  the  visitor  to  Arlington 
was  often  surprised  at  the  shabby-appearing  gentleman  who  ap- 
peared to  welcome  him  to  so  splendid  a  mansion. 

Mr.  Custis  was  a  great  hunter,  and  in  his  out-of-doors  life  he 
was  generally  accompanied  by  his  gun  and  his  dogs.  There  was- 
plenty  of  game  on  the  Arlington  hills,  and  Mr.  Custis  combined 
the  work  of  superintending  the  operations  of  his  numerous  slaves 
with  the  pleasure  of  hunting.  He  was  a  good  shot  and  tireless- 
when  in  pursuit  of  game.  None  of  the  younger  men,  in  fact,, 
could  keep  pace  with  him,  and  he  often  amused  himself,  when 
hunting  with  a  party  of  his  guests,  by  tiring  them  all  out,  though 
most  of  them  were  his  juniors  by  a  number  of  years.  On  these 
occasions,  and  they  were  generally  such  as  remained  in  the  mem- 
ories of  those  who  participated  in  the  expeditions  as  very  pleasant 
recollections,  the  day  generally  wound  up  with  a  banquet  at  the 
house  of  the  host  and  an  evening  of  delightful  gaiety.  When  the 
company  would  assemble  around  the  banquet  table,  Mr.  Custis 
delighted  in  making  merry  over  the  fatigue  experienced  by  his 
guests  during  the  day.  He  would  pretend  that  he  himself  was 
but  a  shadow  of  liis  former  self,  and  would  relate  stories  of  hia 
early  youth,  and  of  the  prowess  of  the  men  that  won  the  revolu- 
tionary  battles,  that   made  his  guests  smile  incredulously.      Of 


37 

course,  none  of  this  good-natured  raillery  was  meant  by  the  genial 
host,  and  as  his  guests  recognized  its  insincerity  they  laughed 
with  him  at  their  own  expense  and  discomfiture. 

Mr.  Custis  at  this  time  conducted  his  estates  on  a  system  that 
was  almost  like  the  governing  of  a  small  principality.  The 
Arlington  estate  was  his  home,  and  upon  it  he  did  very  little 
farming  for  profit.  His  income  he  derived  from  what  he  called 
his  farms  in  Westmoreland  county.  The  Arlington  estate  was 
simply  his  private  grounds,  and  its  cultivation  at  all  was  for  the 
purpose  of  providing  for  the  numerous  slaves  that  he  kept  about 
him.  In  his  treatment  of  his  negroes,  Mr.  Custis  was  as  consid- 
erate as  he  was  regarding  any  other  class  of  human  beings,  and 
the  glaring  evils  of  slavery  were  never  apparent  upon  his  property. 
Each  slave  had  a  house  apportioned  him,  and  a  bit  of  ground, 
the  produce  of  which  he  owned  as  securely  as  if  his  title  to  the 
land  he  occupied  was  duly  recorded  in  the  records  of  the  county 
courts. 

The  slaves  were  of  course  compelled  to  give  a  good  portion 
of  their  time  to  the  master's  service,  but  their  work  was  not  hard 
and  they  were  liberally  provided  for  in  decrepit  old  age  as  well 
as  in  sturdy  youth.  Mr.  Custis  also  respected  the  domestic  rela- 
tions of  the  negroes,  and  the  separation  of  mothers  from  their 
children  and  of  wives  from  their  husbands  was  a  practice  in 
which  he  never  indulged  himself,  and  which  he  abhorred  in 
others.  As  a  result  his  slaves  were  devoted  to  him.  He  was 
not  only  a  kind  master,  bat  was  their  friend,  and  delighted  as 
much  in  joking  with  them,  and  in  making  harmless  fun  of  them, 
as  he  did  in  the  conversations  of  his  neighbors.  Active  both  in 
mental  and  physical  exercise,  Mr.  Custis'  out-door  life  at  Arling- 
ton was  at  once  to  him  a  source  of  pleasurable  recreation  and  of 
physical  health  and  vigor. 

His  in-door  life  was  equally  admirable.  To  judge  of  the  home 
he  occupied,  one  must  picture  the  now  bare  and  desolate  rooms 
of  the  fine  old  mansion  filled  with  the  handsome  furniture  of  a 
hundred  years  ago,  the  walls  resplendent  with  art  treasures, 
and  the  whole  house  glowing  with  life  and  comfort.  Through  the 
open  windows  the  scent  of  flowers  is  wafted  in  on  the  summer 
breezes.  Flowers  grace  the  tables  and  ornament  the  mantelpieces, 
and  on  every  side  are  evidences  of  wealth,  culture,  and  house- 


38 

wifely  taste.  The  rooms  are  tilled  with  Mr.  Custis'  guests,  and 
bustling  about,  in  obedience  to  instructions  given,  are  numerous 
black-faced  servants,  all  neatly  dressed,  and  all  proud  of  the 
master  they  serve.  The  central  figure  in  this  goodly  assemblage 
is  the  host,  courteous  and  considerate  to  all.  His  anecdotes  are 
the  best  that  are  told,  his  views  on  all  topics  are  listened  to  with 
respect,  and  his  regard  is  desired  by  everyone  about  him. 

Mr.  Custis'  home  life  was  not  constantly  spent,  however,  in  en- 
tertaining his  guests.  He  had  his  hours  for  work,  and  spent  them 
in  his  library,  where  he  engaged  himself  either  with  his  incom- 
pleted literary  efforts  or  with  his  attempted  reproductions  in  oil 
of  revolutionary  scenes  and  figures.  He  read  a  great  deal,  but 
his  reading  was  done  generally  at  times  when  Arlington  was  de- 
serted by  guests.  When  there  were  people  about  to  enjoy  them- 
selves Mr.  Custis  preferred  being  among  them,  and  really  got 
more  enjoyment  out  of  the  pleasures  of  others  than  he  did  from 
any  other  source  of  amusement. 

About  the  famous  Arlington  spring  he  constructed  several  build- 
ings, among  others  a  big  kitchen  and  dining-room  and  a  dancing 
pavilion,  and  these,  with  the  beautiful  grounds  about  them,  he 
threw  open  to  the  picnic  parties  from  Washington,  Georgetown, 
and  the  country  around.  He  built  a  wharf  out  into  the  river,  and 
induced  a  small  steamer,  called  the  G.  W.  P.  Custis,  to  make  sev- 
eral trips  daily  to  the  spring. 

The  spring  at  once  became  the  most  attractive  spot  in  that 
section  of  the  country,  and  a  throng  of  people  visited  it  daily. 
No  intoxicating  liquors  were  permitted  on  the  premises,  but,  ex- 
cept in  this  particular,  the  visitors  were  entirely  free  from  re- 
straint, and  could  go  and  come  as  they  pleased.  All  Mr.  Custis 
asked  in  return  for  his  hospitality  was  the  observance  by  his 
guests  of  the  moral  principles  he  upheld  himself  and  a  reciproca- 
tion of  the  kindly  feeling  that  animated  him. 

Every  day  during  the  pleasant  weather  Mr.  Custis  joined  the 
merry-makers  at  the  spring  and  frequently  joined  in  the  games  of 
the  children  and  the  youthful  people.  Often  he  took  with  him 
his  violin — for,  with  his  other  accomplishments,  Mr.  Custis  was 
also  something  of  a  musician — and  never  were  the  dances  so  en- 
joyed or  the  fun  gayer  than  when  the  host  furnished  the  music 
with  his  own  bow. 


39 

These  gatherings  continued  during  every  summer  from  the  time 
of  their  commencement  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Custis,  in  1857,  and 
their  popularity  constantly  increased.  After  Mr.  Custis'  death 
they  ceased,  the  spring  was  abandoned,  and  now  no  vestige  of  the 
green  lawns  that  were  the  scenes  of  former  gayety  can  be  found. 
The  spring  remains,  but  it  is  overgrown  with  bushes  and  weeds 
and  is  seldom  approached,  even  by  the  negroes  living  in  its  vicin- 
ity. The  river,  too,  has  filled  up  at  this  point,  and  where  once  was 
navigable  water  is  now  but  a  marsh,  covered  thickly  over  with  a 
luxuriant  growth  of  marsh  grass  and  rushes. 

The  arrangement  of  the  Custis  house  was  as  excellent  as  the 
regulations  that  ruled  the  life  of  its  owner.  A  broad  hallway  runs 
through  the  centre  of  it,  and  upon  this  opened  the  rooms  on  either 
side.  To  the  right,  as  you  enter  the  building,  was  the  large  din- 
ning-room,  with  the  butler's  pantry  in  the  rear.  Across  the  hall 
were  two  large  rooms  used  as  parlors  and  sitting-rooms,  and  at 
the  end  of  that  wing  of  the  building  was  Mr.  Custis'  library  and 
study.  A  long,  low  wing  that  extends  for  forty  or  fifty  feet  to  the 
right  of  the  mansion  was  occupied  by  Mrs.  Custis  and  her  daughter. 
There  they  had  their  private  sitting-rooms,  their  sewing-rooms 
and  other  apartments  that  make  a  home  pleasant  and  comfortable 
to  women.  The  sleeping  apartments  were  all  on  the  upper  floors 
and  they  were  large  rooms,  well  lighted  and  ventilated  by  the  large 
and  numerous  windows.  The  kitchen  and  quarters  for  the  house 
servants  were  detached  from  the  house,  and  were  located  in  the 
two  brick  and  stuccoed  buildings,  then,  as  now,  at  the  end  of  the 
dwelling. 

But  the  feature  of  Mr.  Custis'  house,  in  which  he  took  great 
pride  himself  and  which  never  failed  to  impress  the  visitor,  was 
the  collection  of  relics,  both  of  Washington,  and  the  ancestors  of 
the  Custis  family,  who  preceded  him.  Of  these  relics,  the  por- 
traits he  possessed  were  first  in  the  matter  of  interest.  They 
represented  better  than  anything  else  could  the  men  and  women 
of  the  past  and  gave  a  clearer  idea  of  their  appearance  than  could 
have  been  obtained  without  their  aid. 

One  of  the  finest  of  these  portraits  was  that  of  Col.  Daniel 
Parke,  painted  by  Sir  Godfrey  Kneller.  It  represented  the  gal- 
lant Colonel  in  a  very  rich  court  dress,  and  showed  the  medallion 
portrait  of  Queen  Anne,  which  had  been  presented  to  Col.  Parke 


40 

by  that  gracious  sovereign,  on  the  occasion  that  he  brought  her 
information  of  Marlborough's  victory  at  Blenheim.  There  was 
also  a  portrait  of  an  old  reformer,  painted  by  Vandyke,  which 
was  very  valuable.  Near  these  two  hung  portraits  of  John  Custis, 
who  married  Col.  Parke's  daughter,  and  of  his  son,  John  Parke 
Custis,  the  first  husband  of  Mrs.  Washington.  The  latter  was 
painted  by  Woolloston,  and  beside  it  was  an  early  portrait  of  Mrs. 
Washington,  then  Mrs.  Custis,  painted  by  the  same  artist.  Mr. 
Custis  possessed  two  other  portraits  of  Mrs.  Washington,  taken 
from  life,  one  an  exquisitely  wrought  miniature,  by  Kobertson, 
painted  in  New  York  in  1791,  and  the  other  a  profile  in  colored 
crayons  by  Sharpless. 

But  it  was  to  the  portraits  of  Washington  himself  that  Mr. 
Custis  attached  the  most  value.  One  of  these,  painted  by  Charles 
Wilson  Peale  in  1772,  represented  Washington  as  he  appeared  at 
forty  years  of  age.  He  was  dressed  in  the  costume  of  a  Virginia 
colonel  of  that  day.  Another  portrait,  by  Sharpless,  showing 
Washington's  profile,  was  considered  the  best  likeness  of  the 
patriot  ever  executed.  There  was  also  in  the  collection  a  paint- 
ing on  copper  showing  the  profiles  of  Washington  and  Lafayette 
side  by  side,  in  imitation  of  a  medallion.  This  was  painted  by  the 
Marchioness  de  Brienne,  and  presented  by  her  to  Washington  in 
1789.  There  were  also  fine  portraits  of  Nellie  Custis,  George 
Washington  Lafayette,  and  of  others,  rendered  famous  by  their 
association  with  Washington. 

Among  the  relics  of  Washington  which  Mr.  Custis  cherished 
were  a  sideboard,  tea-table,  and  china  punch-bowl,  the  latter  a 
gift  to  Washington  from  the  French  naval  ojficers ;  the  large  lan- 
tern that  had  illuminated  the  hallway  at  Mount  Vernon  ;  Washing- 
ton's silver  tea  set,  including  a  massive  tray  or  salver ;  rich  por- 
celain vases,  mahogany  chairs,  several  pieces  of  an  elegant  set  of 
china,  appropriately  painted,  and  which  were  presented  to  Wash- 
ington by  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati ;  part  of  another  set  pre- 
sented to  Mrs.  Washington  by  the  French  officers  ;  silver  wine 
coolers  and  coasters  ;  a  harpsichord,  presented  to  Nellie  Custis  by 
Washington  before  her  marriage  to  Lawrence  Lewis ;  massive  silver 
candlesticks,  with  silver  snuifers  and  extinguishers  attached  ;  a 
mural  candelabra ;  the  bed  on  which  Washington  died  ;  his  war 
tent,  and  the  portmanteau  in  which  it  was  carried,  and  other  mat- 
ters of  minor  interest. 


41 

There  was  also  Washington's  camp-chest,  and  a  smalFiron  chest, 
in  which  Mrs.  Washington  had  kept  certificates  for  30,000  pounds 
sterling,  a  part  of  the  fortune  she  brought  Washington  when  she 
married  him. 

Not  the  least  interesting  of  the  pictures  at  Arlington  were  the 
battle  scenes  painted  by  Mr.  Custis  himself.  These  were  princi- 
pally painted  on  the  walls  of  the  rooms,  and,  while  very  poor 
works  of  art,  they  represented  with  some  accuracy  the  figures  and 
costumes  of  Washington  and  others  as  they  appeared  during  the 
stirring  scenes  of  the  Kevolution.  There  were  five  of  these  war 
scenes,  and  they  represented,  as  near  as  Mr.  Custis  could  make 
them,  the  battles  of  Monmouth,  Trenton,  Princeton,  and  German- 
town  ;  the  surrender  at  Yorktown,  and  the  surrender  of  the  Brit- 
ish colors  at  the  same  place.  In  each  of  these  Washington  is  the 
central  figure. 

Painting  these  scenes  was  one  of  the  pleasant  diversions  of  Mr. 
Custis'  later  years,  and  after  he  had  finished  the  pictures  men- 
tioned he  painted  a  number  of  hunting  scenes.  A  remnant  of  one 
of  these  is  still  to  be  seen  in  the  frieze  about  the  vestibule  at  the 
rear  entrance  to  the  Arlington  mansion. 

When  the  war  broke  out  and  the  occupation  of  Arlington  by 
Federal  troops  succeeded  close  upon  the  departure  of  Gen. 
and  Mrs.  Lee  for  the  Confederate  capital,  all  Mr.  Custis'  art  and 
other  treasures  were  scattered  in  every  direction. 

Some  of  the  Washington  relics  had  been  deposited  by  Mr.  Cus- 
tis, previous  to  his  death,  with  the  Government,  and  now  form  the 
principal  part  of  the  Washington  collection  in  the  National  Mu- 
seum. When  they  first  came  into  the  possession  of  the  Govern- 
ment they  were  placed  on  exhibition  in  the  museum  of  the  Patent 
Office,  where  they  remained  until  the  establishment  of  the  Na- 
tional Museum,  in  1876. 

A  number  of  the  paintings  were  taken  away  from  Arlington  by 
Gen.  and  Mrs.  Lee,  and  are  still  in  the  possession  of  the  Lee 
family. 

A  great  many  of  the  relics,  however,  were  seized  upon  by  the 
vandals  who  followed  and  accompanied  the  Union  forces.  Cups 
that  had  been  used  by  Washington  himself  were  hawked  about 
the  streets  of  the  National  Capital  by  peddlers.  Negroes  enjoy- 
ing newly-acquired  liberty  offered  for  sale  articles  the  value   of 


42 

which  would  have  purchased  the  seller  at  any  time  before  the 
war,  while  soldiers  with  an  appreciation  of  the  character  of  the 
treasures  they  found  upon  the  estate  either  purchased  or  pur- 
loined them  as  presents  for  wives  and  sweethearts  in  the  distant 
northern  States.  Some  of  these  scattered  relics  have  since  been 
collected,  and  are  now  either  in  the  National  Museum  or  at  Mount 
Vernon,  The  Government  has  for  years  endeavored  to  secure 
every  memorial  of  Washington  that  it  can,  and  a  number  of  the 
articles  stolen  or  otherwise  obtained  from  the  Arlington  house 
have  since  the  war  been  purchased  by  those  in  charge  of  the 
National  Museum.  To  many  of  these  relics  so  acquired  the  heirs 
of  Gen.  E).  E.  Lee  have  laid  claim,  and  the  question  of  owner- 
ship is  now  pending  in  the  civil  courts. 

The  articles  in  dispute,  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Govern- 
ment, are  not  on  exhibition,  but  are  carefully  stowed  away  in 
boxes,  awaiting  the  courts'  decision. 

While  Mr.  Custis'  literary  efforts  have  been  mentioned  fre- 
quently in  the  preceding  pages,  they  really  amounted  to  little  of 
value,  except  for  the  recollections  of  Washington  and  the  con- 
versations with  Lafayette,  which  are  almost  invaluable  to  the 
student  of  the  early  history  of  the  country.  His  work  was  gen- 
erally of  the  purposeless  order,  and  very  little  of  it  has  been 
preserved.  He  wrote  poems  and  dramas  for  his  own  amusement 
and  for  the  gratification  of  his  friends. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  his  wife,  then 
on  a  visit  to  some  of  her  relati"^s,  in  1833,  may  give  an  idea  of 
the  manner  in  which  Mr.  Custis  performed  his  literary  feats : 

"  I  have  made  a  great  mental  effort  lately,  but  I  am  sure  you 
and  the  Bishop  will  think  my  energies  might  have  been  better 
employed. 

"  I  had  promised  the  poor  rogues  of  actors  a  play  for  the  12th 
of  September,  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  North  Point,  but 
finding  myself  not  in  the  vein,  I  wrote  to  them  to  defer  it.  On 
Monday  the  9th  the  manager  came  on  from  Baltimore,  and 
entreated  me  to  prepare  something  for  the  12th,  as  it  would  put  six 
or  seven  hundred  dollars  in  his  pocket.  On  Monday  not  a  line 
was  finished.  At  five  o'clock  I  commenced  and  wrote  until  twelve ; 
rose  the  next  morning  at  five  and  by  seven  sent  off  by  the  stages  a 
two-act  piece,  Avith  two  songs  and  a  finale,  called  North  Point ;  or. 


43 

Baltimore  Defended,  the  whole  completed  in  nine  hours.  It  is  to 
be  played  to-night.  To-morrow  I  shall  hear  of  its  success.  The 
principal  character  is  called  Marietta.  She  runs  away  from  her 
father  disguised  as  a  rifle  boy,  etc.,  etc." 

This  letter  not  only  shows  the  style  of  Mr.  Custis'  eflforts,  but 
gives  an  amusing  insight  into  the  condition  of  the  American 
drama  at  that  time.  A  theatrical  manager  accepts  a  play  written 
in  nine  hours  and  produces  it  two  days  after  it  is  completed,  and 
Mr.  Custis,  the  author,  waits  complacently  at  Arlington  for  the 
Baltimore  papers,  which  he  is  sure  will  contain  an  account  of  the 
unqualified  success  of  his  highly-wrought  imaginings. 

A  definite  idea  of  Mr.  Custis'  home-life  could  hardly  be  obtained 
without  some  knowledge  of  the  men  and  women  who  were  his 
guests  at  Arlington.  They  were  the  descendants  from  the  patriots 
of  the  Revolution,  the  representatives  of  the  best  families  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  distinguished  men,  both  old  and  young,  from  the 
National  Capital.  Mrs.  Lewis,  Custis'  sister,  before  and  after  the 
death  of  her  husband,  was  as  much  at  Arlington  as  at  her  own 
home.  The  Masons,  from  their  fine  old  mansion  on  what  was  then 
Mason's  Island,  but  now  is  Analostan  Island,  and  the  more  dis- 
tinguished family  of  old  Col.  Mason,  of  Gunston,  near  Mt.  Yernon, 
were  constant  visitors.  The  Randolphs,  the  Fitzhughs,  and  scores 
of  other  well-known  people  in  Virginia  also  found  and  appreciated 
the  hearty  welcome  of  the  simple  old  man  at  Arlington.  Henry 
Clay,  Daniel  Webster,  and  other  statesmen  were  frequent  guests, 
and  amidst  the  throng,  forming  one  of  the  conspicuous  figures, 
was  the  then  dashing  and  highly  regarded  young  officer,  Lieut. 
Robert  E.  Lee,  of  the  United  States  Army. 


CHAPTEK  IV. 

LEE   AT   ARLINGTON GENEALOGY  AND  EARLY  CAREER — HIS   SERVICE   IN 

THE   MEXICAN   WAR. 

The  advent  of  Robert  E.  Lee  at  Arlington  marks  the  beginning 
of  an  important  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  famous  estate.  From 
this  time  on  the  fine  old  mansion  is  as  inseparably  connected  with 
recollections  of  the  hero  of  the  Confederacy  as  it  is  with  those 
concerning  Custis  himself,  and  its  transfer  at  the  old  man's  death 
from  the  descendants  of  Martha  Washington  to  those  of  Light 
Horse  Harry  Lee,  of  the  Revolution,  was  but  an  advance  in  the 
direction  of  its  high  destiny. 

It  was  not,  however,  the  beauty  of  Arlington,  or  its  associations, 
that  drew  Lieut.  Lee  to  the  estate  when  he  became  a  visitor  there. 
Nor  did  the  relics  of  Washington  or  the  genial  and  admirable 
qualities  of  Mr.  Custis  play  any  very  important  part  in  attracting 
the  young  officer.  His  visits  were,  in  fact,  due  principally  to  the 
presence  in  Arlington  House  of  a  very  beautiful  young  lady,  Miss 
Mary  Custis,  Mr.  Custis'  only  child.  Lieut.  Lee's  attentions  were 
well  received  by  Miss  Custis,  and  on  June  30,  1831,  they  were 
married  in  the  main  drawing-room  of  the  Arlington  Mansion, 
the  room  in  which  visitors  are  now  requested  to  register  their 
names.  The  marriage  ceremony  was  witnessed  by  a  large  circle 
of  guests,  and  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  William  Meade,  after- 
wards bishop  of  Virginia.  An  amusing  incident  occurred  at  the 
wedding  which  has  freqently  been  related. 

In  the  early  evening,  preceding  the  hour  set  for  the  wedding, 
while  Rev.  Mr,  Meade  was  journeying  towards  Arlington,  a  heavy 
thunder-storm  came  up  and  thoroughly  drenched  the  good  clergy- 
man. When  he  arrived  at  the  house  he  found  the  guests  all  wait- 
ing for  him,  impatient  for  the  ceremony  to  begin.  It  was,  of 
course,  impossible  for  Mr.  Meade  to  think  of  marrying  any  one 
while  the  clothes  he  wore  were  soaked  with  water.  To  obviate 
the  difficulty,  Mr.  Custis  attempted  to  supply  him  with  a  suit  of 
his  own.  Unluckily  for  the  fit  of  these  garments,  Mr.  Custis  was 
short  and  stout,  the  clergyman  was  tall  and  thin,  and  his  appear- 


45 

ance,  when  finally  arrayed  in  them,  was  extremely  ridiculous. 
However,  the  ample  folds  of  the  surplice  covered  all  defects  of 
raiment,  and  the  guests  generally  were  unaware  of  the  awkward 
predicament  of  the  dignified  divine. 

The  marriage  of  Lieut.  Lee  to  the  heiress  of  Arlington  added 
to  the  gay ety  of  life  on  the  estate.  It  was  in  the  days  before  marriage 
journeys  were  fashionable,  and  the  newly-married  couple  settled 
down  to  housekeeping  in  the  good  old  style.  Lieut.  Lee  had  his 
estate  at  Stratford,  left  him  by  his  father,  to  which  he  would  have 
taken  his  bride,  but  the  young  lady  preferred  remaining  at  Arling- 
ton, and  as  Mr,  Custis  desired  that  the  young  people  remain  with 
him,  they  took  up  their  abode  there  and  made  it  their  home  at 
Mr.  Custis'  request,  until  his  death,  when  the  property  passed 
into  the  possession  of  Col.  and  Mrs.  Lee. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Custis  occurred  in  1857  and  produced  a 
marked  sensation  throughout  the  country.  He  was  ill  only  a 
short  time,  but  his  disease  was  pulmonary  pneumonia,  and  four 
days  after  he  was  compelled  to  take  to  his  bed  he  expired.  After 
a  night  of  insensibility  he  roused  himself,  and,  with  that  transient 
gleam  of  light  that  usually  precedes  dissolution,  he  embraced  each 
member  of  his  family  and  took  leave  of  the  old  servant  who 
attended  him.  He  requested  that  his  pastor  be  summoned,  and 
when  the  clergyman  arrived  asked  that  those  present  join  in  a 
prayer  for  the  dying.  While  the  prayer  was  being  offered  he  ex- 
pired. The  funeral  of  Mr.  Custis  took  place  at  Arlington  and  was 
attended  by  a  vast  concourse  of  people,  in  which  were  men  of  dis- 
tinction in  every  walk  of  life.  The  Mount  Vernon  Guards  of 
Alexandria,  the  Association  of  Survivors  of  the  War  of  1812  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  a  delegation  of  the  Jamestown  Society, 
field  and  staff  officers  of  the  volunteer  regiment,  the  Washington 
Light  Infantry,  and  a  delegation  of  the  President's  mounted  troop, 
all  travelled  to  Arlington  to  unite  in  the  solemn  testimonials  of 
respect. 

Mr.  Custis'  remains  were  interred  in  what  was  then  a  beautiful 
grave,  a  short  distance  from  the  mansion.  They  were  laid  beside 
those  of  his  wife,  whose  death  had  occurred  two  years  earlier,  and 
over  the  two  graves  were  erected  monuments  which  still  stand 
amidst  the  grave-stones  that  mark  the  resting-places  of  thousands 
of  Federal  soldiers,  a  link  connecting  the  past  age  with  the  pres- 


46 

ent.  With  the  death  of  Mr.  Custis  all  the  vast  estates  he  pos- 
sessed passed  to  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Lee,  and  Arlington  became 
the  homestead  of  the  Lees. 

It  was  not  the  intention  of  the  writers  to  introduce  into  this 
volume  any  matter  historical  or  otherwise  that  has  no  direct  bear- 
ing upon  the  history  of  the  estate  or  those  who  lived  within  its 
precincts,  but  a  sketch  of  the  life  of  Gen.  E.  E.  Lee  while  he 
made  his  home  at  Arlington,  together  with  some  account  of  his 
distinguished  ancestry,  seems  to  be  indispensable  to  the  complete- 
ness of  the  work. 

While  no  additional  lustre  can  be  thrown  on  the  achievements 
of  Gen.  Lee  by  any  reference  to  his  ancestry,  it  is  worthy  of 
remark  that  the  family  from  which  he  sprung  has  an  honorable 
place  in  the  chronicles  of  every  epoch  of  English  history  from  the 
Norman  invasion,  and  in  the  annals  of  the  American  colonial 
period  from  the  time  the  family  first  appeared  in  this  country. 

When  William  the  Conqueror  landed  upon  the  shores  of  Britain 
and  flung  his  armies  of  mailed  knights  against  the  opposing 
Saxons,  Launcelot  Lee  was  one  of  the  party  of  nobles  that  formed 
his  personal  escort.  On  the  field  of  Hastings  he  was  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  of  that  band  of  invaders  and  performed  such 
signal  service  for  his  king  that  he  was  rewarded  with  large  estates 
in  Essex.  He  became  the  founder  of  the  family  that  bears  his 
name. 

When  the  lion-hearted  but  erratic  Bichard,  more  than  a  century 
later,  in  1192,  conducted  the  Third  Crusade  into  the  Holy  Land, 
Lionel  Lee  was  one  of  the  many  nobles  that  accompanied  him. 
He  rode  at  the  head  of  a  company  of  "  gentlemen  cavaliers,"  and 
displayed  such  gallantry  and  courage  at  the  siege  of  Acre  that  he 
was  made  Earl  of  Litchfield,  while  another  estate,  afterwards 
called  "  Ditchley,"  was  also  bestowed  upon  him.  In  the  Horse 
Armory  of  the  Tower  of  London  may  still  be  seen  the  armor  worn 
by  Lionel  Lee  in  this  crusade. 

Two  of  the  family  were  Knights-Companions  of  the  Garter,  and 
their  banners,  surmounted  by  the  Lee  arms,  were  placed  in  St. 
George's  Chapel,  at  Windsor  Castle. 

Sir  Henry  Lee  was  Knight  of  the  Garter  in  the  reign  of  Queen 
Elizabeth.  The  Earldom  of  Litchfield  passed  to  the  fifth  baronet 
of  his  line  in  1674. 


47 

From  Eichard  Lee,  a  younger  son  of  the  house  of  Litchfield, 
the  line  of  descent  of  Gen.  Lee  can  be  directly  traced.  This 
Richard  Lee  in  1641,  during  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  came  to  America 
as  colonial  secretary  under  the  governorship  of  Sir  William  Berke- 
ley. He  was  possessed  of  all  those  qualities  which  had  made  his 
family  a  line  of  commanders  and  soon  obtained  such  influence 
over  the  colonists  that  Governor  Berkeley,  with  his  assistance, 
was  able  to  keep  Virginia  firm  in  allegiance  to  the  king  and  the 
loyalist  party.  When  the  second  Charles  was  still  in  exile  and 
without  a  kingdom,  he  was  invited  to  come  to  Virginia  and  rule 
over  his  loving  and  devoted  subjects  in  that  colony.  By  reason 
of  this  act  Virginia  was  styled,  in  a  treaty  made  with  the  Com- 
monwealth forces,  an  "  Independent  Dominion,"  this  being  the 
origin  of  the  sobriquet  it  has  since  borne,  "  the  Old  Dominion.'' 
The  king  showed  his  gratitude  for  the  loyalty  exhibited  by  the 
colony  by  ordering  the  arms  of  Virginia  to  be  added  to  those  of 
England,  France,  Ireland,  and  Scotland,  with  the  motto,  "  Eu  dat 
Yirginia  guiniam." 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  Lees  were  at  once  and  at  this  early 
period  of  history  fully  identified  with  the  country  of  their  adop- 
tion. 

The  county  of  Westmoreland,  with  its  diversity  of  hill  and  dale, 
its  mild  climate,  fertile  soil,  and  attractive  scenery,  at  an  early 
period  won  the  attention  of  the  Washingtons,  Fairfaxes,  Lees,  and 
other  distinguished  families,  and  they  naturally  established  their 
homes  in  this  attractive  situation.  Here  they  evinced  many  of 
the  traits,  characteristics,  and  customs  of  English  society. 

Frequently  they  made  the  country  ring  with  the  merry  sound 
of  the  horn  and  the  hound  as  they  swept  through  field  and  wood 
in  pursuit  of  the  wily  fox  or  the  bounding  stag.  In  the  life  and 
habits  of  these  people,  and  others  of  like  descent  and  customs,  was 
formed  the  germ  of  that  martial  spirit  which  characterizes  what  is 
called  the  "  chivalry  of  Virginia."  Gen.  Lee  himself  as  boy 
followed  the  chase  for  hours,  not  infrequently  on  foot,  over  hill 
and  valley,  laying  the  foundation  of  that  vigor  and  robustness 
that  enabled  him  so  easily  to  overcome  the  fatigues  and  endure 
the  hardships  of  war. 

Richard  Lee,  second  son  of  the  Richard  above  named,  was  born 
in  Virginia  in    1646,  and  after  b^ng  educated  in  law  in  England 


48 

returned  to  Virginia  and  took  an  active  part  in  colonial  legisla- 
tion. His  fourth  son,  Thomas  Lee,  was  the  first  of  the  family  to 
locate  in  Westmoreland  county.  He  attained  high  distinction  in 
America  and  England,  and  grew  to  be  one  of  the  most  prominent 
men  in  the  early  history  of  Virginia,  in  which  province  he  became 
successively  president  of  the  council  and  governor  of  the  col- 
ony, being  the  first  native-born  American  who  held  the  latter 
office  under  the  British  Crown.  In  colonial  history  he  is  known 
as  "President  Lee." 

The  fine  mansion  of  Stratford,  in  Westmoreland  coanty,  the 
birthplace  of  Kobert  E.  Lee,  two  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  and  several  other  famous  members  of  the  family, 
was  built  for  Thomas  Lee  by  the  East  India  Company,  aided  by 
an  ample  donation  from  the  privy  purse  of  Queen  Caroline,  his 
former  residence  having  been  burned.  This  structure,  which  is 
still  standing,  was  built  of  bricks  imported  from  England,  in  the 
substantial  manner  common  in  those  days,  the  walls  of  the  first 
story  being  two  feet  and  a  half  thick,  those  of  the  second  story 
two  feet.  It  was  even  more  spacious  than  the  neighboring  colo- 
nial mansions,  containing  in  all  nearly  a  hundred  rooms. 

Thomas  Lee  died  in  1756,  leaving  eight  children — six  sons  and 
two  daughters.  Several  of  his  sons  occupied  prominent  places  in 
the  colonial  history  of  America,  while  three  of  them,  Richard 
Henry,  Francis  Lightfoot,  and  Arthur  Lee,  deserve  particular 
mention  from  their  connection  with  the  American  revolution. 

Richard  Henry  Lee  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Burgesses 
of  Virginia,  and  afterward  became  a  distinguished  member  of  the 
Continental  Congress.  He  is  best  known  as  one  of  the  great  ora- 
tors of  that  period,  and  to  him  is  due  that  stirring  resolution  of 
the  10th  of  June,  1776,  which  proclaimed  to  the  world  that  Amer- 
ica was  full  grown  and  ready  to  take  its  allotted  place  in  the  family 
of  nations — the  resolution  "  that  these  United  Colonies  are,  and 
of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  independent  States ;  that  they  are 
absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown,  and  that  all 
political  connection  between  them  and  Great  Britain  is,  and  ought 
to  be,  totally  absolved." 

Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  was  also  a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress  and  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence ;  while  Arthur  Lee  was  entrusted  in  the  all-important, 
foreign  mission  on  behalf  of  the  new  republic. 


49 

Kobert  E.  Lee  is  descended  directly  from  Eichard  Lee  of  the 
second  generation  of  the  family  in  America,  and  the  father  of 
Thomas  Lee  just  described.  The  descent  is  traced  from  Henry, 
the  fifth  son  of  Richard,  and  the  direct  ancestor  of  the  subject  of 
this  story. 

Henry  Lee  occupied  no  prominent  place  in  colonial  history,  his 
life  being  that  of  a  student,  though,  like  his  brother,  he  occupied  a 
place  in  the  early  councils  of  the  colony.  He  married  a  Miss 
Bland  and  had  three  children. 

The  second  son,  Henry,  became  a  member  of  the  House  of  Bur- 
gesses and  took  an  active  part  in  the  exciting  political  events  of 
the  time.  He  was  married  in  1753  to  Lucy  Grymes,  a  descendant 
of  General  Thomas  Grymes,  of  Cromwell's  army.  He  left  a  large 
family,  six  sons  and  five  daughters.  The  eldest  son,  who  bore  the 
name  of  his  father,  was  born  in  1756,  near  Dumfries  on  the  Poto- 
mac, and  was  distinguished  for  the  character  of  his  services  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  being  best  known  by  the  dashing  title  he 
earned  early  in  the  war,  "Light  Horse  Harry"  Lee. 

He  was  the  father  of  Robert  E.  Lee. 

At  an  early  age  this  third  Henry  Lee  in  direct  descent  was 
sent  to  Princeton  College,  where  he  distinguished  himself  as  a  law 
student.  On  completing  his  studies  here  he  was  about  starting 
for  England  when  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  caused  him  to  change 
his  plans.  He  was  then  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  abandoned 
his  intention  of  going  to  England,  and  quickly  raising  a  company 
of  cavalry  he  joined  Washington  soon  after  the  battle  of  Lexing- 
ton. His  energy  and  ability  soon  earned  him  a  high  reputation, 
and  he  was  speedily  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel 
and  assigned  the  command  of  an  independent  corps  composed  of 
infantry  and  cavalry,  and  known  as  "Lee's  Legion."  His  services 
were  conspicuous  during  the  war,  and  at  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tion none  had  acquired  a  more  permanent  and  deserved  reputa- 
tion than  "  Light  Horse  Harry "  Lee.  About  the  year  1781  he 
was  married  to  his  cousin  Matilda,  daughter  of  Philip  Ludwell 
Lee,  by  which  marriage  the  homestead  at  Stratford  came  into  his 
possession. 

He  was  elected  to  Congress  soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  and 
afterwards  became  Governor  of  Virginia,  to  which  office  he  was 
three  times  elected. 


50 

During  the  year  1790  he  lost  his  wife,  who  had  borne  him  four 
children.  These  had  all  died  except  the  eldest,  Henry.  After 
several  years  of  retirement  from  public  life  he  married  Mrs.  Anne 
Hill  Carter,  daughter  of  Charles  Carter,  of  Shirley,  by  whom  he 
had  five  children,  Charles  Carter  Lee,  of  Powhattan ;  Sidney 
Smith  Lee,  a  commander  in  the  United  States  Navy  in  1860,  and 
afterward  in  Confederate  States  Navy ;  and  Kobert  E.  Lee.  The 
two  daughters  were  Anne  and  Mildred. 

Robert  Lee  was  born  in  the  same  room  at  Stratford  in  which 
were  born  Richard,  Henry,  and  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee. 

Henry  Lee  in  1798  returned  to  public  life  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  General  Assembly,  and  afterwards  was  re-elected  to 
Congress. 

On  the  death  of  Washington  he  prepared  the  eulogy  by  direc- 
tion of  Congress,  in  which  occur  the  memorable  words  which  have 
become  indissolubly  attached  to  the  name  of  the  hero  of  the  Revolu- 
tion :  "  First  in  war,  first  in  peace,  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  coun- 
trymen." 

In  1811  he  removed  to  Alexandria  for  the  purpose  of  educating 
his  children,  and  while  here  was  offered  and  accepted  a  major- 
general's  commission  during  the  second  war  with  England.  At 
the  close  of  the  year  1817,  declining  health  induced  him  to  visit 
the  West  Indies,  but  obtaining  no  relief  from  the  tropical  climate 
he  determined  to  return  to  his  native  home.  Rapidly  failing 
health  on  his  return  voyage  caused  him  to  direct  his  course  to  the 
coast  of  Georgia,  where,  at  the  home  of  the  daughter  of  his  old 
comrade,  Gen.  Greene,  on  Cumberland  Island,  he  died  after  a 
short  illness. 

His  neglected  grave  is  but  a  short  distance  from  the  now  dis- 
mantled mansion,  in  a  wildly  overgrown  garden  of  magnolias  and 
sub-tropical  shrubbery. 

Gen.  Lee,  as  before  stated,  was  born  January  19,  1807,  in 
the  old  manor-house  at  Stratford  which  came  into  the  possession 
of  his  father  through  his  marriage  with  his  cousin,  a  member  of 
the  other  branch  of  the  Lees.  The  old  mansion  is  best  described 
in  the  language  of  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee  himself : 

"  The  approach  to  the  house  is  on  the  south,  along  the  side  of 
a  lawn,  several  hundred  acres  in  extent,  adorned  with  cedars,  oaks, 
and  forest  poplars.     On  ascending  a  hill  not  far  from  the  gate  the 


51 

traveller  comes  in  full  view  of  the  mansion,  when  the  road  turns 
to  the  right  and  leads  straight  to  a  grove  of  sugar  maples,  around 
which  it  sweeps  to  the  house.  The  edifice  is  built  in  the  form  of 
an  H  and  of  bricks  brought  from  England.  The  cross  furnishes 
a  saloon  of  thirty  feet  cube,  and  in  the  centre  of  each  wing  rises 
a  cluster  of  four  chimneys  which  form  the  columns  of  two  pavil- 
ions, connected  by  a  balustrade.  The  owner,  who,  before  the 
Eevolution,  was  a  member  of  the  King's  Council,  lived  here  in 
great  state,  and  kept  a  band  of  musicians,  to  whose  airs  his 
daughters,  Matilda  and  Flora,  with  their  companions,  danced  in 
the  saloon  or  promenaded  on  the  house-top." 

Here  young  Lee  lived  until  1811,  when  his  father  removed  to 
Alexandria  to  give  his  children  the  benefit  of  the  educational  ad- 
vantages offered  by  that  town,  then  a  thriving  and  prosperous 
municipality.  The  family  lived  on  Cameron  street,  near  the  old 
Christ  church,  then  on  Orinoco  street,  and  afterwards  in  the  house 
known  as  the  parsonage.  The  young  lad's  character  was  moulded 
by  his  mother,  under  whose  sole  influence  he  came  during  his  boy- 
hood. His  father  was  absent  for  long  periods  on  duty  as  major- 
general  in  the  American  army,  and  in  the  later  years  of  his  life 
■engaged  in  a  despairing  search  after  the  spirit  of  health  that  had 
forsaken  him.  Robert  in  these  years  became  a  familiar  figure  in 
the  streets  of  the  old  Virginia  town,  where  he  formed  many  life- 
long friendships.  He  was  devoted  to  his  invalid  mother,  and  be- 
stowed upon  her  the  most  faithful  care  and  attention  and  made 
her  welfare  the  chief  object  of  his  thoughts.  He  was  a  thoughtful, 
■earnest  youth  and  spent  his  hours  out  of  school  at  his  mother's 
side. 

When  he  entered  school  at  Alexandria  he  had  as  his  first  teacher 
an  Irish  gentleman,  William  B.  Leary,  who,  even  before  his  famous 
pupil  had  become  in  any  way  distinguished,  held  him  up  to  the 
boys  that  came  after  him  as  a  model  student.  His  early  education 
ivas  obtained  from  Mr.  Leary,  under  whose  tuition  he  remained 
until  it  was  decided  that  he  should  go  to  West  Point. 

He  then  took  a  preparatory  course  under  Mr.  Benjamin  Hal- 
lowell,  a  famous  teacher  of  mathematics  in  Alexandria.  In  1825, 
when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  Military  Academy 
at  West  Point,  where  he  remained  four  years,  graduating  in  1829  at 
the  head  of  his  class.     At  the  time  of  Lee's  marriage  to  Miss  Cus- 


52 

tis  he  had  been  an  officer  of  the  United  States  Army  for  two  years. 
The  high  honors  he  had  secured  as  a  student  at  the  Military  Acad- 
emy caused  his  assignment  to  the  engineer  corps,  then,  as  now,  the 
highest  branch  of  the  service,  and  his  first  mihtary  duty  was  in 
connection  with  that  corps.  He  was  first  ordered  to  Cockspur 
Island,  near  Savannah,  but  after  his  marriage  was  sent  to  Old 
Point,  where  he  remained  until  1835.  In  that  year  he  was  ap- 
pointed assistant  astronomer  to  mark  out  the  boundary  line  be- 
tween Ohio  and  Michigan,  and  as  a  result  of  this  service  he  wa& 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain.  Capt.  Lee  was  stationed  for  the 
next  two  years  in  Washington,  as  assistant  to  Chief  Engineer  Gra- 
tiot. During  this  time  he  lived  at  Arlington  and  might  have  been 
seen  morning  and  evening  of  each  pleasant  day  riding  along  Penn- 
sylvania avenue,  on  his  way  between  his  Virginia  home  and  the  War 
Department.  While  in  Washington  he  numbered  among  his  asso- 
ciates Lieuts.  J.  E.  Johnston  and  M.  C.  Meigs,  one  of  whom  wa& 
in  later  years  his  most  trusted  confidant,  the  other  his  most  im- 
placable enemy.  At  that  time,  however,  they  were  all  good  friends, 
and  in  1837,  when  Capt.  Lee  was  ordered  to  take  charge  of  the 
engineering  operations  in  the  Mississippi,  Lieut.  Meigs  went  along 
as  his  assistant.  The  work  which  was  entrusted  to  Capt.  Lee  at 
this  time  was  of  a  very  important  character  and  its  completion 
was  not  only  regarded  as  an  important  engineering  achievement, 
but  rendered  possible  the  present  city  of  St.  Louis.  St.  Louis 
was  at  the  time  threatened  with  a  serious  disaster  from  the  deflec- 
tion of  the  main  current  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  Illinois  side  and 
the  danger  of  its  cutting  a  new  channel  through  the  bottom  lands. 
Sand  bars  were  forming  along  the  city's  entire  river  front  and 
threatened  to  interfere  with,  if  not  to  ruin  altogether,  its  harbor. 
In  addition  to  remedying  this,  Capt.  Lee  was  instructed  to  make 
surveys  and  plans  for  improving  the  river  where  the  Des  Moine& 
river  enters  it  from  the  west,  and  about  the  mouth  of  the  Rock 
river,  which  enters  from  the  east.  At  both  these  points  the  river 
flowed  over  ledges  of  rock,  with  a  narrow  and  tortuous  channel, 
and  during  the  season  of  low  water  all  steamboats  were  obliged  to 
discharge  at  least  a  part  of  their  cargoes  in  order  to  get  through. 
After  working  with  his  party  for  several  months  Capt.  Lee  made 
up  his  report  and  it  was  submitted  to  Congress  by  the  Secretary 
of  War.     He  recommended  the  improvement  of  the  two  rapids  by 


53 

the  straightening  and  widening  of  the  channels  and  bj  blasting 
and  moving  the  rocks  that  obstructed  navigation.  In  regard  to 
St.  Louis,  he  recommended  the  proper  course  of  the  dykes  to  de- 
flect the  currents  and  to  close  at  low  water  the  eastern  or  Illinois 
channel  by  connecting  Bloody  Island  with  the  eastern  shore. 
Upon  these  recommendations  Congress  continued  for  a  number 
of  years  to  make  the  necessary  appropriations  for  the  execution 
of  the  work,  and  a  portion  of  it  was  accomplished  under  Capt. 
Lee's  supervision.  A  good  description  of  Gen.  Lee,  as  he  im- 
pressed others  at  this  time,  was  written  by  Gen.  Meigs.  Gen. 
Meigs  wrote  of  him : 

"  He  was  a  man  then  in  the  vigor  of  youthful  strength,  with  a 
noble  and  commanding  presence,  and  an  admirable,  graceful,  and 
athletic  figure.  He  was  one  with  whom  nobody  ever  wished  or 
ventured  to  take  a  liberty,  though  kind  and  generous  to  his  subor- 
dinates, admired  by  all  women  and  respected  by  all  men.  He 
was  the  model  of  a  soldier  and  the  beau  ideal  of  a  Christian 
man." 

Capt.  Lee  continued  to  render  valuable  services  to  his  govern- 
ment as  an  engineer,  a  portion  of  the  time  at  Fort  Hamilton,  in 
New  York  harbor,  and  at  other  points,  until  the  breaking  out  of 
hostilities  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico.  During  these 
years,  so  well  employed,  he  was  for  a  time  one  of  the  board  of 
visitors  to  the  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  and  did  much  to 
improve  the  course  of  training  at  that  institution. 

With  every  branch  of  work  to  which  he  had  been  assigned, 
with  every  difficult  operation  he  had  undertaken,  Capt.  Lee 
proved  himself  an  officer  of  remarkable  ability,  unswerving  in 
his  devotion  to  duty,  and  he  was  rapidly  pressing  forward  to 
the  very  foremost  rank  of  distinction  and  honor  in  military 
circles. 

The  commencement  of  the  Mexican  war  opened  a  wider  field 
for  the  exercise  of  his  abilities  as  a  military  engineer  and  offered 
his  first  opportunity  for  that  practical  education  in  the  art  of  war 
which  was  afterward  to  bear  such  abundant  fruit.  No  officer  who 
participated  in  the  campaign  in  Mexico  achieved  more  distinc- 
tion or  rendered  more  valuable  service  than  did  Capt.  Lee.  He 
was  assigned  to  Gen.  Wool's  command  at  the  opening  of  the 
war  and  remained  with  it  until  after  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  in 


54 

which  Gen.  Taylor  with  a  force  of  5,000  men  put  to  rout  Santa 
Anna's  force  of  20,000  men,  when,  at  the  request  of  Gen.  Scott, 
Lee  joined  his  army  in  the  neighborhood  of  Tampico. 

On  the  9th  of  March,  1847,  Gen.  Scott  landed  his  army  of 
12,000  men  a  short  distance  south  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  laid  siege 
to  the  city.  It  was  strongly  fortified  by  walls,  and  defended  by 
a  powerful  fortress,  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa,  garrisoned 
by  5,000  men  and  containing  400  heavy  guns.  The  establish- 
ment of  batteries  and  the  arrangement  of  all  the  other  engineering 
details  of  the  siege  were  directed  by  Capt.  Lee,  and  so  well  was. 
his  work  performed  that  on  the  22d  it  had  been  completed,  and 
on  the  29th  the  city  surrendered.  Having  gained  by  the  capture 
of  Vera  Cruz  a  secure  base  of  operations.  Gen.  Scott  advanced 
on  the  city  of  Mexico.  Santa  Anna  with  a  strong  force  took  up 
a  position  on  the  National  Road  at  Cerro  Gordo,  where  he  so 
strongly  entrenched  himself  that  further  advance  was  impossible, 
while  battle  in  so  disadvantageous  a  position  would  have  been 
sure  to  result  disastrously  for  the  American  forces.  Capt.  Lee 
was  therefore  sent  out  to  make  reconnoissances,  and  at  the  end 
of  the  third  day  a  passage  for  light  batteries  was  accomplished 
around  Santa  Anna's  entire  army  without  alarming  it.  This  ren- 
dered possible  the  turning  of  the  extreme  left  of  the  enemy's  line 
of  defence,  and  capturing  his  entire  army.  A  large  force  wa& 
sent  along  the  route,  thus  made  passable  by  Capt.  Lee,  and  it  had 
gained  a  position  from  which  it  was  able  to  storm  the  heights  of 
Cerro  Gordo,  and  rout  the  entire  Mexican  army  before  it  was 
discovered.  For  his  services  on  this  occasion  and  also  at  Vera 
Cruz,  Capt.  Lee  was  highly  praised  in  the  reports  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. In  the  engagement  at  San  Augustin,  and  Con- 
treras  which  followed,  Capt.  Lee  again  distinguished  himself  by 
his  courage  and  sagacity. 

The  Mexicans  occupied  a  very  strong  position,  while  the  Amer- 
icans were  obliged  to  advance  over  a  region  of  country  so  broken 
that  horses  could  hardly  keep  a  foothold.  Pillow's  and  Twiggs' 
divisions  were  sent  forward  and  with  them  went  Capt.  Lee.  They 
started  from  San  Augustin,  where  Gen.  Scott  had  his  head- 
quarters, and  by  night  they  had  fought  their  way  over  the  broken 
ground  to  Contreras.  There  a  council  of  war  was  held,  which 
was  counselled  by  Capt.  Lee,  and  the  plan  of  future  operations- 


55 

decided  upon  at  his  suggestion.  When  the  council  closed,  Capt. 
Lee  announced  his  intention  of  returning  to  San  Augustin  to  re- 
port the  conclusions  of  the  meeting  to  Gen.  Scott.  A  more  hazard- 
ous undertaking  than  this  could  hardly  have  been  conceived  of.  It 
was  night  and  the  darkness  was  intensified  by  a  severe  rain-storm, 
which  was  pouring  its  torrents  upon  the  heroic  band  of  American 
soldiers.  The  country  lying  between  Contreras  and  San  Augus- 
tin was  almost  impassable  in  the  daytime,  while,  to  add  to  the 
danger,  the  American  forces  were  almost  completely  hemmed  in 
by  Mexican  troops.  Notwithstanding  these  difficulties,  however, 
Capt.  Lee  persisted  in  his  determination,  and  without  a  com- 
panion or  a  light  made  the  journey  so  fraught  with  danger,  and 
arrived  in  safety  at  Gen.  Scott's  camp.  His  achievement 
called  forth  from  Gen.  Scott  the  highest  commendation,  and 
the  whole  American  army  applauded  the  gallant  conduct  of  the 
daring  officer. 

As  a  result  of  Capt.  Lee's  prompt  report,  Gen.  Scott  ad- 
vanced his  entire  army  under  Capt.  Lee's  guidance,  and  at  day- 
light an  attack  upon  the  enemy's  strongholds  was  made.  In  the 
battle  Lee  again  distinguished  himself,  and  so  well  planned  was 
the  attack  he  had  rendered  possible,  that  in  just  seventeen  minutes 
the  Mexicans  were  driven  from  their  works  and  were  in  full  re- 
treat. 

In  all  the  subsequent  events  of  the  war  Lee  played  a  promi- 
nent part,  gradually  rising  in  the  esteem  of  his  commanders,  of 
his  brother  ofl&cers,  and  in  his  rank  in  the  service.  One  promo- 
tion followed  another  in  rapid  succession,  and  after  the  brilliant 
charge  at  Chapultepec,  in  which  he  was  severely  wounded,  he  re- 
ceived the  rank  of  brevet  colonel.  He  was  Gen.  Scott's  favor- 
ite officer,  and  so  well  had  he  earned  the  favor  shown  him,  that 
his  fellow-soldiers  applauded  their  commander  for  his  recognition 
of  Lee's  brilliant  services. 

When  peace  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico  had  been 
established  by  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  negotiations.  Col. 
Lee  returned  home  with  the  victorious  army  and  was  again  as- 
signed to  duty  in  the  corps  of  engineers.  He  was  engaged  in  the 
construction  of  fortifications  at  Sailers  Point,  near  Baltimore,  at 
Hampton  Roads,  and  in  New  York  harbor  until  1852,  when  he 
was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy  at 


56 

West  Point.  He  occupied  this  position  until  1855,  when  he  was 
promoted  to  a  command  in  the  cavalry  branch  of  the  service,  and, 
as  colonel  of  the  Second  cavalry,  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  de- 
partment of  Texas.  At  this  time  Texas  and  the  country  adjoin- 
ing was  overrun  by  bands  of  hostile  Indians,  who  let  no  oppor- 
tunity escape  to  massacre  and  rob  the  settlers  whenever  the  latter 
ventured  beyond  the  protecting  arm  of  the  military.  To  keep 
these  maurauders  in  subjection  and  to  protect  the  settlers,  was 
the  duty  which  now  devolved  upon  Gen.  Lee  and  his  small 
command.  Bloody  engagements  were  frequent  between  the  troops 
and  the  savages,  and  as  hard  a  campaign  of  frontier  warfare  as 
any  in  the  history  of  the  country  was  carried  on. 

In  these  campaigns  he  was  engaged  until  within  a  short  time  of 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war.  It  is  a  matter  worthy  of  note 
that  while  in  his  earlier  career  Col.  Lee  had  been  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  such  ofl&cers  as  Meigs,  Beauregard,  McClellan,  and 
others,  who  afterwards  achieved  great  distinction,  in  his  Indian 
wars  he  had  as  officers  of  his  command  Johnson,  Hardee, 
Thomas,  Yan  Dorn,  Hood,  Fitz  Lee,  Stoneman,  Kirby  Smith, 
and  Fields,  all  of  whom  became  general  officers  in  either  the  Con- 
federate or  Federal  service  during  the  Civil  war.  While  at  Camp 
Cooper,  Texas,  in  1857,  Col.  Lee  received  notice  by  telegraph  of 
the  death  of  his  wife's  father,  G.  W.  P.  Custis,  and  at  once  has- 
tened to  Arlington.  He  returned  to  Texas,  however,  and  re- 
mained there  until  the  state  of  excitement  prevailing  throughout 
the  country  rendered,  in  the  opinion  of  the  War  Department,  his 
presence  at  the  National  Capital  necessary. 

Although  Col.  Lee  had  been  very  actively  engaged  in  the  serv- 
ice of  his  country,  while  the  discordant  elements  throughout  the 
North  and  South  were  fomenting  the  difficulties  surrounding  the 
slave  question  until  the  land  was  overcast  with  the  shadows  of 
threatening  clouds  of  civil  war,  he  had,  notwithstanding,  found 
time  to  watch  with  ever-increasing  anxiety  the  formation  of  the 
breach  between  the  sections. 

Though  opposed  to  the  institution  of  slavery,  which  he  regarded 
as  a  moral  and  political  evil,  he  was  of  the  unalterable  opinion 
that  the  matter  was  one  that  under  the  Constitution  the  States 
had  the  right  to  regulate  for  themselves,  and  he  denied  absolutely 
the  right  of  the  non-holding  slave  States  to  interfere.     He  be- 


57 

lieved  the  emancipation  of  tlie  negroes  would  sooner  result  from 
the  mild  and  melting  influences  of  Christianity  than  from  the 
storm  and  tempest  of  fiery  controversy.  He  was  too  much  of  a 
patriot  to  believe  that  the  country  could  possibly  be  disrupted 
over  the  question,  but  he  saw  with  feelings  of  the  gravest  appre- 
hension that  it  was,  as  he  expressed  it,  rushing  rapidly  towards 
the  verge  of  anarchy  or  civil  war. 

Having  been  recalled  to  Washington,  Lee  took  up  his  residence 
at  Arlington,  and  was  there  when  the  John  Brown  raid  on  Harper's 
Ferry  occurred.  He  was  at  once  summoned  to  Washington  by 
the  Secretary  of  War  and  directed  to  take  command  of  a  battalion 
of  marines  and  proceed  to  the  scene  of  the  outbreak. 

When  he  arrived  at  Harper's  Ferry  he  found  Brown  and  his 
followers  located  in  the  Government  building  closely  besieged  by 
the  militia  troops  that  had  assembled  there.  Col.  Lee  stationed 
his  troops  around  the  building  and  sent  Lieut.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart 
with  a  flag  of  truce  to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  insurgents. 

On  their  refusal  to  capitulate  Col.  Lee  charged  the  building 
with  his  men,  broke  open  the  door,  and  released  the  citizens  who 
had  been  imprisoned  as  hostages  by  Brown,  before  any  of  them 
could  be  injured.  In  the  fight  all  the  insurgents  but  Brown  and 
three  others  were  killed,  while  Lee's  small  command  also  suffered 
a  considerable  loss.  But  for  the  protection  afforded  Brown  by 
Col.  Lee,  he  would  in  all  probability  have  been  lynched  by  the  in- 
dignant citizens  of  Harper's  Ferry.  Lee,  however,  held  him  as  a 
prisoner,  and  as  such  turned  him  over  to  the  civil  authorities. 

After  this  service  Col.  Lee  returned  to  Texas,  where  for  the 
next  year  he  watched  with  growing  uneasiness  the  discord  be- 
tween the  North  and  South. 

Events  now  crowded  upon  each  other  with  such  rapidity  that 
there  could  no  longer  be  any  doubt  that  civil  war  was  to  be  the 
final  result  and  that  the  conflict  was  irrepressible  and  inevitable. 
The  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  in  1860  spread  consternation  through- 
out the  South,  and  a  similar  degree  of  excitement  prevailed  in  the 
North  when  the  delegates  from  the  Soutliern  States  withdrew  in 
a  body  from  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

Then  followed  the  secession  of  South  Carolina,  and  in  Febru- 
ary of  1861  the  seven  cotton  States  united  themselves  into  an  in- 
dependent republic,  and  demanded  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sum- 


58 

ter,  at  Montgomery,  Alabama.  Following  this,  and  thrilling  the 
country  with  the  intelligence  that  civil  war,  cruel  and  relentless, 
was  on  at  last,  came  the  news  of  Sumter's  bombardment  and 
surrender.  The  fortress  fell  beneath  the  fearful  fire  of  shot  and 
shell  from  the  Confederate  batteries  on  April  13,  and  on  April 
15  President  Lincoln  issued  a  proclamation  calling  for  75,000 
volunteers.  Just  two  days  later  the  convention  of  Virginia  passed 
the  ordinance  of  secession,  and  the  entire  country  was  involved 
in  the  greatest  civil  strife  the  world  has  ever  seen.  In  all  this 
preparation  for  war.  Col.  Lee  was  recalled  from  Texas,  and  on 
March  1,  1861,  he  arrived  in  Washington  in  response  to  an  order 
issued  by  the  War  Department. 

It  had  been  Col.  Lee's  intention  at  this  time,  in  case  Yirginia 
were  not  involved  in  the  struggle  for  State's  rights,  to  retire  to  his 
home  at  Arlington,  and  there  sheathe  his  sword  forever,  rather  than 
take  part  in  so  unnatural  a  war  as  that  between  the  States  of  so 
great  a  union.  ^The  secession  of  Yirginia  cast  the  die  for  him, 
however,  and  without  hesitation  he  joined  his  fortunes  with  those 
of  the  Southern  Confederacy. 

His  final  decision  was  not  reached  without  severe  mental 
trouble  nor  without  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  Government  to  pre- 
serve his  highly  valued  services  to  the  Federal  army.  He  was 
offered  positions  of  the  highest  importance  and  honor,  and  was 
indirectly  promised  the  position  of  Commander-in-chief  of  the 
Union  forces.  This  offer  was  made  him  by  Francis  Preston  Blair, 
the  father  of  Montgomery  Blair,  then  Postmaster -General.  Mr. 
Blair,  during  their  interview,  informed  Col.  Lee  that  he  had  been 
sent  by  President  Lincoln  and  he  inquired  whether  any  induce- 
ment would  prevail  upon  Lee  to  take  command  of  the  Union 
army.  Lee  replied  that  to  lift  his  hand  against  his  native  State 
would  be  impossible. 

Immediately  after  this  interview  Col.  Lee  went  to  the  office  of 
Gen.  Scott,  to  whom  he  related  what  had  transpired.  Then  he  re- 
turned to  Arlington,  and  after  two  days  spent  in  a  severe  mental 
struggle  to  determine  on  which  side  his  duty  lay,  he  concluded  to 
resign  his  commission  in  the  army.  His  letter  of  resignation  was 
written  at  Arlington,  on  Saturday,  April  20,  and  is  as  follows : 


59 

Aelington,  Va.,  April  20,  1861. 
Genebal  :  Since  my  interview  with  you  on  the  18th  inst.  I  have  felt  that  I 
ought  not  longer  to  retain  my  commission  in  the  army.  I  therefore  tender  my 
resignation,  which  I  request  you  will  recommend  for  acceptance.  It  would  have 
been  presented  at  once  but  for  the  struggle  it  has  cost  me  to  separate  myself  from 
a  service  to  which  I  have  devoted  all  the  best  years  of  my  life  and  all  the  ability  I 
possessed.  During  the  whole  of  that  time — more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century — I 
have  experienced  nothing  but  kindness  from  my  superiors  and  a  most  cordial 
friendship  from  my  comrades.  To  no  one.  General,  have  I  been  as  much  indebted 
as  to  yourself  for  uniform  kindness  and  consideration,  and  it  has  always  been  my 
ardent  desire  to  merit  your  approbation.  I  shall  carry  to  the  grave  the  most 
grateful  recollections  of  your  consideration,  and  your  name  and  fame  will  be  al- 
ways dear  to  me.  Save  in  the  defence  of  my  native  State,  I  never  desire  again  to- 
draw  my  sword.  Be  pleased  to  accept  my  most  earnest  wishes  for  the  continu- 
ance of  your  happiness  and  prosperity,  and  believe  me  most  truly  yours, 

R.  E.  LiEE. 

This  letter,  though  written  on  the  20th,  was  not  sent  to  Gen. 
Scott  until  Monday,  the  22d.  On  the  same  day  Col.  Lee,  with 
Mrs.  Lee  and  their  children,  left  Arlington  for  Richmond,  never 
to  return.  On  the  day  following,  Tuesday,  the  23d  of  April,  Lee 
accepted  the  position  of  Commander-in-chief  of  the  forces  of 
Virginia. 


CHAPTER  V. 

SEIZURE    AND    OCCUPATION   OF   ARLINGTON    BY   FEDERAL    FORCES — THE 

FIRST   INTERMENT. 

Three  days  after  the  Lee  family  left  Arlington  the  first  battal- 
ions of  the  great  army  of  the  North  swept  into  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  the  first  camp-fires  were  lighted  among  the  oaks 
of  Arlington. 

The  place  was  found  just  as  it  had  been  left.  John  McQuin,  a 
faithful  overseer  of  the  family,  remained  in  charge  of  the  house 
and  grounds,  and  every  morning  the  great  doors  of  the  mansion 
were  flung  open  in  hospitable  welcome,  and  at  night  closed  and 
barred  with  the  same  scrupulous  care  that  had  attended  this  for- 
mal ceremony  when  the  occupants  of  the  house  had  retired  to 
their  rooms,  in  the  uneventful  days  before  the  clarion  trump  of 
war  had  sounded  the  death  of  tranquillity  and  domesticity  in 
Virginia. 

When  the  armed  troops  swarmed  up  the  Arlington  hillsides 
they  found  the  house  open  to  them,  the  walks  cleaned,  the  gardens 
cleared  and  trimmed,  as  though  the  master  of  the  house  were  yet 
within  to  give  them  welcome.  When  they  tramped  into  the  echo- 
ing rooms  they  found  none  to  receive  them,  and  as  they  rum- 
maged from  cellar  to  garret  the  loved  treasures  of  Washington 
were  taken  out  and  divided  among  the  recruits,  who  knew  not  but 
that  they  were  the  possessions  of  Lee  himself  and  so  felt  no  com- 
punctions upon  carrying  them  ofif  as  trophies  of  war. 

The  mansion  itself  became  the  headquarters  of  the  commanders 
of  the  troops  quartered  on  the  grounds,  and  soon  long  lines  of 
tents  forming  company  streets  had  sprung  up  all  over  the  hillsides 
and  out  over  the  level  plateau  to  the  south.  Drills  by  battalions 
and  regiments  were  held  daily  and  soon  the  place  had  seemingly 
lost  its  identity  in  the  great  transformation  that  had  been  wrought. 

The  ancient  stately  manse  that  had  formerly  known  no  harsher 
sounds  than  the  strains  of  sweet  music  or  the  prattle  of  children 
in  innocent  frolic,  now  resounded  with  the  clank  of  sabre  and 
accoutrements  and  the   heavy  tread  of  cavalry-booted  officers. 


61 

The  quiet,  gentle  life  the  place  had  formerly  known  gave  way  to 
the  abrupt  roughness  of  a  military  camp.  Mud-bespattered 
orderlies  dashed  through  the  quiet,  shaded  avenues,  and  the 
smooth,  level  lawns  were  trampled  into  clayey  plains  by  bands  of 
wandering  recruits.  All  the  boundaries,  garden  plats,  and  smooth 
reaches  of  green  turf  that  in  times  of  peace  were  preserved  in- 
violate by  a  natural  respect  for  order  and  beauty  were  swept 
away,  and  even  the  gradually  descending  terraces  were  broken 
down  and  became  but  ragged  embankments. 

The  place  was  never  again  to  bear  the  loved  title  and  beautiful 
name  of  "  home."  From  this  time  until  the  war  was  ended 
Arlington  remained  in  the  possession  of  the  military  and  was 
destined  to  ultimately  receive  to  its  kindly  bosom,  in  the  lethean 
caress  of  death,  many  of  the  brave  lads  that  had  so  cheerfully  and 
with  such  high  hopes  and  ambitions  first  spread  their  tents  amid 
its  forests. 

Early  in  the  war  "Washington  became  the  hospital  base  for  all 
the  section  of  the  country  surrounding,  and  thousands  of  wounded 
soldiers  from  the  neighboring  battle-fields  were  carried  there  by 
train  and  boat,  as  well  as  the  many  unused  to  the  hardships  and 
privations  of  warfare,  who  sickened  in  camp  and  on  the  field.  In 
1864  there  were  fift^-six  hospitals  in  Washington,  from  St.  Eliz- 
abeth's Asylum  just  across  the  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Potomac  to 
the  tents  at  Arlington.  Private  dwellings,  warehouses,  churches, 
and  schools  were  converted  into  hospitals,  and  throughout  Wash- 
ington the  groans  of  thousands  of  wounded  heroes  floated  on  the 
misery-laden  air.  The  intertwined  serpents  and  the  green  stripes 
and  chevrons  were  the  insignia  most  familiar  to  Washingtonians, 
for  the  surgeon  and  his  staff  everywhere  had  precedence. 

On  the  hills  of  Arlington  the  long  canvas  shelters  hemmed  in 
the  mansion  on  every  side.  The  house  itself  was  early  in  the 
war  occupied  by  the  officers  of  Fort  Whipple,  a  garrison  located 
on  the  hiUs  west  of  Arlington,  and  was  later  shared  with  officers 
of  Fort  McPherson,  an  earthwork  thrown  up  by  McClellan  a 
short  distance  south  of  the  mansion.  The  surgeon's  staff  of  the 
hospital  corps  also  established  headquarters  here. 

The  great  oaks  immediately  surrounding  the  house  were  pre- 
served from  destruction,  and,  under  their  grateful  shade,  stretched 
away  long  lines  of  white  tents,  sheltering  the  suffering  victims  of 


62 

the  rebellion's  battles.  Soft,  whispering  breezes  crept  through  the 
long  cathedral-like  aisles  of  oak  and  elm,  touching  with  pitying 
caress  alike  the  brow  of  the  childish  recruit  and  the  aged  veteran. 
Death  dwelt  amid  these  tents  and  daily  reaped  a  greater  harvest 
than  is  yielded  in  a  great  city  in  many  months.  To  many  he 
came  as  a  white-winged  messenger  of  love  and  pity,  bringing 
blessed  surcease  from  pain  and  torture  almost  unbearable.  Army 
ambulances,  converted  into  hearses  by  the  simple  expedient  of 
painting  them  a  sombre  black,  passed  about  the  city  at  all  hours 
of  the  day  and  night  garnering  the  harvest  of  death.  From  the 
hospitals  in  the  city  and  from  those  without  the  bodies  of  the 
dead  were  taken  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  Cemetery,  then  the  only 
military  cemetery  in  Washington. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1864  the  interments  made  here  had  ex- 
hausted every  available  inch  of  space.  Over  8,000  soldiers  who 
had  died  in  the  hospitals  in  and  about  Washington  had  been 
buried  in  the  cemetery,  and  in  May  those  in  charge  reported  that 
but  a  few  more  bodies  could  be  interred,  and  the  cemetery  would 
then  of  necessity  have  to  be  closed  and  the  further  issue  of  burial 
permits  denied. 

By  this  time  the  disposal  of  the  bodies  of  those  who  died  at 
Washington  became  a  serious  problem.  Gen.  M.  C.  Meigs,  then 
Quartermaster-General  of  the  United  States  Army,  was  a  man  of 
infinite  resources  ;  but  taxed  to  the  utmost  by  the  constant  de- 
mands made  upon  on  all  sides  he  had  but  little  attention  to 
bestow  upon  these  seemingly  minor  questions.  The  proper  and 
decent  burial  of  all  Union  soldiers  who  died  in  service  he  recog- 
nized, however,  as  being  of  the  greatest  importance.  Throughout 
the  North  there  existed  a  belief,  unfounded  on  facts,  but  strong 
among  the  masses,  that  the  Union  dead  were  carelessly  and  irrev- 
erently buried.  This  feeling  engendered  great  bitterness  among 
the  very  classes  from  which  Gen.  Meigs  felt  must  come  the  bone 
and  sinew  of  the  Union  Army.  The  eifect  of  this  growing  feeling 
he  did  not  attempt  to  underestimate,  and  the  news  coming  at  this 
time  that  there  was  no  available  ground  in  which  to  inter  the 
bodies  of  those  then  dying  in  the  near-by  hospitals  caused  him  to 
lay  aside  for  a  time  his  other  pressing  duties  to  devote  his  atten- 
tion entirely  to  this  engrossing  problem.  He  had  several  confer- 
ences with  Secretary  of  War  Stanton,  who  requested  him  to  take 


63 

immediate  steps  to  quell  the  feeling  arising  in  the  North,  and  to 
provide,  at  any  cost,  adequate  burial  facilities. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  on  the  13th  of  May,  1864,  Gen.  Meigs 
left  his  office  in  the  old  War  Department  building,  and  buried  in 
deep  thought  walked  over  into  the  grounds  surrounding  the  White 
House,  intent  only  on  thinking  out  solutions  to  some  of  the  many 
problems  with  which  he  had  to  contend.  With  eyes  bent  on  the 
ground  and  enwrapped  in  thought  he  was  just  passing  the  White 
House  portico  when  he  was  hailed  by  a  familiar  voice. 

"  Step  in  here,  Meigs,  and  take  a  drive  with  me,"  said  the  Pres- 
ident, "  you  look  tired  and  worn  out ;  you  need  a  rest." 

Gen.  Meigs  looked  up  quickly  and  saw  the  honest  rugged  face 
of  Lincoln,  lit  by  a  half  smile,  more  serious  than  mirthful. 

Two  iron  grays  stood  pawing,  restlessly  impatient,  and  the  soft 
cushions  of  the  victoria  looked  invitingly  comfortable.  The  Pres- 
ident threw  open  the  low  door  and  the  Quartermaster-General 
entered  the  vehicle.  A  moment  later  the  team  clattered  down  the 
driveway  and  the  carriage  whirled  rapidly  away  toward  George- 
town. 

The  street  over  which  they  passed  was  not  the  smooth,  asphalted 
thoroughfare  of  to-day,  but  a  rough,  uneven  dirt  road,  sending  up 
great  clouds  of  dust  in  dry  weather,  and  changing  to  one  vast  pool 
of  mud  throughout  its  entire  length  during  the  rainy  season. 
Over  this  miserable  roadway,  fronted  upon  but  by  few  houses  in 
the  long  stretch  from  the  White  House  to  Georgetown,  rolled  the 
coach  of  the  President.  In  a  few  minutes  the  town  across  the 
creek  was  reached,  and  the  heavy  vehicle  rumbled  over  a  very  supe- 
rior quality  of  cobble-paving,  for  Georgetown  was  far  in  advance 
of  the  Capital  in  some  respects.  Past  century-old  houses  with 
whose  histories  the  names  of  the  nation's  greatest  men  are  linked  ; 
past  the  old  Keys  mansion,  where  dwelt  the  poet  who  has  given 
us  our  most  stirring  national  hymn,  and  out  upon  the  Aqueduct 
clattered  the  spirited  team.  The  two  silent  men,  absorbed  in  their 
own  thoughts,  had  talked  but  little ;  but  now  as  the  beauty  of  the 
scene,  spread  out  in  prospect,  burst  upon  them  they  lapsed  into 
absolute  silence.  The  restive  pair,  held  down  to  a  walk,  drew 
frettingly  upon  check  and  rein,  and  tos«ed  their  proud  heads  and 
champed  with  impatience  upon  their  bits. 

Toward  the  east  there  rose  no  magic  city,  robed  in  imperial 


64 

beauty,  unequalled  in  the  wide  world,  sucli  as  now  greets  the  sight, 
A  few  miserable  scattered  hovels ;  here  and  there  unsightly  masses 
of  masonry,  the  beginnings  of  great  results  in  architecture,  as  yet 
inchoate  and  undefined,  and  the  one  great  achievement  of  genius 
and  art,  the  huge  white  dome  of  the  Capitol,  alone  gave  faint 
promise  of  the  magnificent  development  of  later  years. 

Toward  the  south  and  west,  however,  they  gazed  upon  the  same 
scenes  that  are  presented  to-day.  Above  the  bridge,  wooded 
hills,  rocky  islets,  and  the  Chain  Bridge,  a  noted  strategic  point 
in  the  earlier  days  of  the  war.  Off  to  the  south  the  forested  is- 
land home  of  Gen.  Mason,  the  last  of  a  long  colonial  line,, 
whose  direct  ancestors  were  daily  visitors  at  Mount  Vernon,  and 
among  Washington's  dearest  friends.  This  old  mansion,  of  little 
beauty  but  of  great  strength  of  masonry  and  thick  beams,  is  in- 
timately connected  with  the  classically  beautiful  mansion-house 
at  Arlington,  for  between  Gen.  Mason  and  Mr.  Custis  there 
existed  the  most  cordial  friendship,  and  the  two  estates  were  one 
in  all  but  boundaries.  Over  the  oak-crowned  hills  of  Mason  Is- 
,  land  Mr.  Custis  hunted  with  gun  and  hound,  and  at  Arlington 
Gen.  Mason  was  ever  an  honored  guest. 

The  old  mansion  of  the  Masons  is  now  in  ruins,  and  the  family 
is  remembered  only  by  the  name  the  island  once  bore  in  the.  long 
ago,  before  the  more  beautiful  Indian  name  it  now  bears  was  be- 
stowed upon  it. 

Past  Mason  Island  then,  now  Analostan  Island,  the  carriage 
whirled  rapidly  along  toward  the  camp  at  Arlington.  On  every 
hand  sentinels  saluted  with  presented  pieces,  and  groups  of  strol- 
ling soldiers  of  all  branches  of  the  army  paused  and  gazed  wonder- 
ingly  at  the  two  men  in  the  carriage.  Arrived  at  the  mansion- 
house  at  Arlington,  the  President  alighted  and  started  out  for  a 
stroll  among  the  tents  and  across  the  lower  portion  of  the  estate 
to  Fort  McPherson,  whose  grim  embankments  crowned  by  frown- 
ing cannon  arose  from  the  level  plateau  stretching  away  toward 
the  south. 

These  drives  into  the  surrounding  country  were  of  frequent 
occurrence  with  President  Lincoln,  who  took  this  means  of  throw- 
ing aside  for  a  brief  period  the  burdens  of  his  position.  After  a 
day  of  trouble  and  turmoil  in  the  White  House,  beset  on  all  sides 
by  clamors  for  advice  or  assistance,  keyed  to  the  highest  tension 


65 

by  news  from  the  seat  of  war,  and  by  a  full  knowledge  of  the  vast 
responsibilities  devolving  upon  him,  he  was  able  at  the  end  of  the 
day  to  relax  the  tension  and  recuperate  for  another  day  of  great 
effort  by  dropping  entirely  his  character  of  Chief  Magistrate  and 
becoming  again  the  genial,  hearty,  unaffected  citizen.  Gen.  Meigs, 
however,  did  not  possess  the  power  to  apply  in  similar  manner  the 
principles  of  the  conservation  of  energy,  and  the  difference  in  the 
temperament  of  the  two  men  was  shown  strikingly  in  this  case. 
Gen.  Meigs  had  no  sooner  alighted  than  he  began  to  busy  himself 
in  the  affairs  under  the  charge  of  his  office  at  Arlington.  He  was 
in  a  few  minutes  deeply  engaged  in  a  conference  with  the  corps  of 
surgeons  in  charge  of  the  hospital  tents,  and  was  more  strongly 
than  ever  convinced  of  the  necessity  for  immediate  action  in  regard 
to  the  proper  sepulture  of  the  army's  dead.  After  an  hour,  how- 
ever, nothing  had  been  accomplished  and,  the  President  having 
returned,  the  two  men  prepared  to  drive  back  to  the  city. 

As  they  stood  on  the  terrace  in  front  of  the  mansion,  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  the  carriage,  both  men  were  struck  with  the  glorious 
natural  beauty  of  the  panorama  spread  out  before  them.  From  the 
placid  shimmering  bosom  of  the  Potomac  they  turned  their  gaze 
across  the  broad  level  basin  in  which  the  Capital  City  lies  and 
absorbed  the  beauty  of  the  distant  Maryland  hills,  clad  in  a  man- 
tle of  changing  tints  of  red  and  gold,  as  the  last  rays  of  the  setting 
sun  touched  tenderly  the  sturdy  forests  that  clothed  their  sides. 

While  the  soft  eventide  breathed  only  peace  and  tenderness. 
Gen.  Meigs'  thoughts  were  keyed  to  harsher  feelings.  He 
dwelt  reminiscently  upon  the  long  months  spent  in  brotherly 
companionship  with  the  absent  Lee,  but  with  retrospection  the 
present  grew  clearer  and  a  hatred  and  aversion  for  his  former 
chum  grew  in  his  heart.  While  Lee  had  espoused  the  cause  of 
the  Confederacy,  he  had  enlisted  heart  and  brain  in  the  active 
service  of  the  North,  and  as  the  weary  years  of  the  war  length- 
ened and  the  end  came  not  in  sight,  all  soft  impulses  died  out  of 
him,  and  there  came  instead  the  implacable  feeling  of  bitterest 
enmity  against  the  South  and  Southerners.  To  him  the  word 
"  rebel "  was  synonymous  with  all  that  was  base  and  treacherous, 
and  the  act  of  renunciation  had  to  him  cancelled  all  the  good  and 
noble  qualities  his  young  manhood's  chum  had  possessed.  He 
was    angered    at    the    happiness  Lee    must    have   experienced 


66 

amid  the  beautiful  surroundings  of  Arlington,  and  in  his  mind  a 
resolution  at  once  took  tangible  form. 

"  Lee  shall  never  return  to  Arlington,"  he  said  abruptly,  turn- 
ing to  the  President.  "  No  matter  what  the  issue  of  the  war  may 
be,  the  arch-rebel  shall  never  again  enjoy  the  possession  of  these 
estates." 

The  President  smiled  good  humoredly  at  the  feeling  words  of  the 
Quartermaster-General,  and  would  have  made  some  reply  had  not 
the  attention  of  the  men  at  that  moment  been  called  to  a  sad 
procession  that  passed  within  a  few  feet  of  them.  On  common 
canvas  stretchers,  borne  by  members  of  a  detailed  squad,  were 
the  bodies  of  several  unfortunates  who  had  died  in  the  hospital 
tents.  They  were  being  carried  to  the  lower  part  of  the  grounds 
to  await  the  coming  of  the  burial  squad  to  convey  them  to  the 
already  overcrowded  Soldiers'  Home  Cemetery.  Stopping  the 
sergeant  in  command  of  the  squad,  Gen.  Meigs  asked,  "  How 
many  men  are  there  awaiting  burial  here  ?  "  •'  With  these,  a  dozen, 
sir,"  answered  the  sergeant ;  "  no  bodies  have  been  taken  away 
during  the  week." 

"  Set  down  the  stretchers,"  commanded  the  Quartermaster- 
General,  and  then,  turning  to  a  commissioned  ofl&cer  standing  near, 
he  said  :  "  Captain,  order  out  a  burial  squad  and  see  that  ail  the 
bodies  at  Arlington  are  buried  on  the  place  at  once."  Then 
walking  a  few  paces  away  he  pointed  out  the  slight  terrace 
bordering  the  garden  of  the  mansion,  "  Bury  them  there,"  he 
said. 

The  officer  saluted  and  disappeared.  The  carriage  of  the 
President,  which  had  drawn  up  a  few  minutes  before,  was  stand- 
ing ready,  and  President  Lincoln  and  Gen.  Meigs  entered  and 
were  driven  rapidly  back  to  Washington. 

A  few  minutes  later  a  squad,  in  charge  of  a  corporal,  came 
quickly  up  the  broad  driveway  in  front  of  the  mansion,  with 
picks  and  shovels,  and,  stopping  at  the  place  indicated  by  Gen. 
Meigs,  began  at  once  the  work  of  preparing  the  shallow  re- 
ceptacles that  were  to  contain  the  remains  of  their  dead  fellows. 
Places  for  twelve  graves  were  marked  out  about  a  dozen  yards 
south  of  the  house,  and  soon  the  yellow  mounds  of  moist  earth 
began  to  rise  at  the  sides  of  the  narrow  pits. 

In  half  an  hour  the  labor  was  completed,  and  as  the  last  of  the 


67 

clay-soiled  workers  emerged  from  the  grave  he  had  made  and 
joined  his  comrades,  a  sombre  black  ambulance  doing  duty  as  a 
hearse  and  bearing  within  its  gloomy  interior  the  bodies  of  those 
who  had  died  at  Arlington  drove  slowly  up  the  driveway.  The 
bodies  were  in  black  pine  coffins,  and  as  the  hearse  halted  they 
Tvere  quickly  drawn  forth  and  placed  beside  the  graves  that  were 
to  contain  them. 

The  sun  that  but  a  short  time  before  had  blazed  out  .behind  the 
western  hills  and  had  massed  the  low  hanging  clouds  into  vast 
banks  of  glowing  crimson,  seen  in  brilliant  glory  through  the 
black  broad  oaks  of  Arlington,  was  now  low  out  of  sight,  and  the 
early  evening  came  on  with  the  many  noises  of  night,  and  the  cool, 
steely  blue  of  the  nocturnal  heaven  had  killed  out  the  warm  reful- 
gent glow  of  the  dying  day.  Darkness  was  coming  on  quickly, 
and  down  in  the  deep  woods  to  the  north  the  great  flocks  of  crows 
liad  settled  into  quietness  aud  harmony,  announcing  their  pres- 
ence only  by  an  occasional  discordant  cawing.  From  the  mansion 
came  the  chaplain,  an  elderly  ecclesiast  who,  with  more  feeling 
than  was  common,  read  a  burial  service  over  the  twelve  bodies 
lying  before  him.  The  bodies  were  then  quickly  placed  in  the 
rude  graves  and  the  heavy  lumps  of  clay  thumped  upon  the  lids 
with  a  dull  monotonous  regularity  until  there  remained  only  twelve 
ghastly  yellow  mounds  standing  out  sharply  from  the  green  lawn. 
The  members  of  the  squad  shouldered  their  implements  and  were 
a  few  seconds  later  swallowed  up  in  the  grim  forbidding  forest 
that  now  loomed  out  in  black  massiveness  about  the  mansion. 

The  first  interment  of  Union  dead  had  been  made  at  Arlington. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ESTABLISHMENT   OF    THE    NATIONAL   CEMETERY — BODIES   OF    SOLDIERS 
COLLECTED    ON   THE   BATTLE-FIELDS   AND    BURIED    AT   ARLINGTON. 

In  this  manner,  on  the  13th  of  May,  1864,  the  national  ceme- 
tery at  Arlington  was  established.  Gen.  Meigs,  by  his  decisive 
action,  not  only  provided  for  the  proper  sepulture  of  the  dead  he- 
roes of  the  Federal  cause,  but  at  the  same  time  carried  into  effect 
his  resolution  to  tear  from  the  possession  of  the  Confederate 
leader  the  beautiful  estate  that  had  been  his  home. 

He  knew  that  the  united  sentiment  of  the  great  North  would 
never  permit  the  desecration  of  the  graves  by  the  disinterment  of 
the  Union  dead,  and  for  this  reason  he  ordered  the  first  burials  to 
be  made  around  the  edge  of  the  garden  near  the  house,  in  order 
to  prevent  any  section  of  the  grounds  from  being  set  aside  for 
cemeterial  purposes  after  the  war,  and,  being  thus  cut  off  from 
the  house  and  surrounding  acres,  to  allow  the  latter  to  again  be 
occupied  by  the  Lee  family  or  any  of  its  members.  It  is  an  ill 
wind,  however,  that  blows  no  good  to  any  one,  and  Gen.  Meigs 
by  this  bit  of  retributive  malice  secured  to  his  country  a  monu- 
ment to  the  martyrs  who  died  "  in  the  blue  "  that  will  endure 
when  tablets  of  brass  and  shafts  of  granite  shall  have  mouldered 
into  dust.  The  everlasting  hills,  the  groves  of  oak  and  elm  will 
stand  for  centuries,  nature's  vast  memorial  cathedral,  amid  whose 
leafy  aisles  the  errant  wind  shall  murmur  eternally  a  sad  requiem  ,^ 
or  in  fiercer  blast  a  jubilant  psean  of  martial  glory. 

The  most  striking  fact  in  connection  with  the  first  burial  at 
Arlington  was  that  the  first  man  interred  was  a  rebel  prisoner, 
L.  Reinhardt,  of  the  23rd  North  Carolina  regiment,  who  was  taken 
captive  in  one  of  the  battles  about  Washington  and  who  died  of 
his  wounds  in  one  of  the  Arlington  hospital  wards.  His  was  the 
grave  nearest  the  house  and  the  first  over  which  the  few  words  of 
the  brief  burial  service  were  read.  His  interment  was  registered 
as  the  first  in  a  cemetery  where  now  16,000  bodies  lie.  The 
second  interment  on  the  register  is  that  of  Edward  S.  Fisher,  a 
sergeant   of   Company  "  D,"  40th   New  York   infantry  regiment. 


69 

Thus  the  wearers  of  blue  and  gray  dissolved  all  differences  in 
death  and  lay  down  to  their  long  sleep  indifferent  to  the  success 
alike  of  North  or  South. 

These  first  graves  were  not  allowed  to  remain  unmolested,  for 
after  the  Secretary  of  War  had  approved  the  action  of  the  Quarter- 
master-General,, and  ordered  that  the  grounds  should  be  used 
thenceforth  for  cemeterial  purposes,  these  first  buried  bodies  were 
reinterred  in  the  lower  cemetery  marked  section  "A"  on  the  map 
of  Arlington,  and  the  bodies  of  commissioned  officers  were  buried 
along  the  terrace. 

The  cemetery  being  now  regularly  established,  a  reliable  and 
intelligent  sexton  was  placed  in  charge ;  neat,  if  not  substantial, 
headboards  were  placed  at  every  grave  containing  all  obtainable 
information  concerning  the  occupant,  and  everything  possible  done 
to  dispel  the  feeling,  still  existent,  that  the  soldiers  dying  at  Wash- 
ington were  irreverently  and  negligently  treated.  From  the  13th 
of  May,  1864,  the  burials  at  Arlington  were  constant  and  many. 
Every  day  the  gloomy  black  ambulances,  laden  with  corpses  en- 
closed in  common  pine  coffins,  made  their  way  along  the  dusty 
highway  from  the  Aqueduct  to  the  gates  of-  Arlington.  In  the 
two  months  and  a  half  from  May  13  to  June  30,  1864,  the  inter- 
ments at  Arlington  numbered  2,619,  231  of  those  buried  being 
colored  soldiers.  From  this  time  on  the  work  of  burying  the 
bodies  of  those  who  died  in  the  hospitals  at  W^ashington  was  car- 
ried steadily  on  at  Arlington  until  the  close  of  the  war,  in  April, 
1865.  The  interments  to  June  30,  1865,  numbered  5,291.  Before 
the  war  had  been  concluded,  however,  the  idea  of  establishing 
national  cemeteries  at  convenient  points  had  been  developed  until 
there  were  a  large  number  located  about  Washington.  In  con- 
sequence the  interments  at  Arlington  for  this  year  do  not  repre- 
sent all  the  deaths  in  Washington  hospitals,  for  the  terrible  record 
of  mortality  shows  that  15,708  heroes  yielded  up  their  lives  dur- 
ing the  year  ending  June  30.,  1865,  in  the  hospital  wards  of  the 
National  Capital ;  a  number  whose  appalling  magnitude  does 
not  force  itself  upon  the  imagination  until  it  is  remembered  that 
this  great  total  of  male  adults  represents  the  population  of  a  large 
city. 

In  this  year  the  work  of  establishing  new  national  ceme- 
teries and   improving   those    already  established   went   forward 


70 

with  great  strides.  A  grateful  country  now  had  full  leisure  to 
appreciate  the  great  debt  it  owed  to  the  men  who  had  laid  down 
their  lives  in  their  country's  defence,  and  took  such  steps  as  would 
best  demonstrate  the  desire  felt  to  express  a  nation's  gratitude 
and  remembrance.  At  Arlington  everything  possible  was  done  to 
restore  to  the  place  its  natural  beauty  and  former  grandeur  of 
forested  hills  and  sloping  lawns.  The  splendid  oak  groves  imme- 
diately surrounding  the  mansion  had  not  fallen  before  the  devas- 
tating scythe  of  war,  and  thus  the  great  element  of  the  natural  and 
familiar  aspect  of  the  place  had  been  preserved.  As  far  as  pos- 
sible the  estate  was  restored  to  its  pristine  condition,  and  the  old 
mansion,  dismantled  of  its  priceless  treasures  but  still  preserving 
its  classical  and  dignified  architectural  beauty,  was  given  over  to 
the  superintendent  of  the  cemetery  as  his  quarters.  Terraces 
battered  down  by  the  constant  trampling  of  man  and  horse  and 
utterly  denuded  of  tiirf  were  built  up  and  resodded,  and  the  long 
sloping  hill,  stretching  away  to  the  south,  scarred  by  drain  pits 
and  camp-fire  sites,  was  leveled  and  •  planted  with  groves  of  orna- 
mental trees.  Drives  were  restored,  and  emerald  lawns  again 
stretched  away  in  velvety  beauty  from  the  portico  of  the  mansion. 
As  far  as  possible  the  scars  of  war  were  obliterated,  and  in  a  few 
short  months  the  place  again  resumed  the  quiet  beauty  it  had  known 
as  the  homestead  of  Custis.  The  sturdy  forests  by  the  river  side, 
however,  could  not  be  restored,  and  the  beautiful  surroundings  of 
the  far-famed  Custis  Spring  became  but  a  memory.  In  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  house,  however,  a  perfect  restoration  was 
possible,  so  that  in  the  latter  part  of  1865  those  who  had  known 
the  place  before  the  internecine  strife  would  not  have  noted  any 
great  changes  save  for  the  long  lines  of  white  headboards  that 
gleamed  through  the  vista«  of  forest  aisles  on  every  hand. 

Near  the  battle-fields  of  Spottsylvania  and  the  Wilderness  the 
national  cemeteries  were  established  during  this  year  in  which 
were  interred  the  remains  of  those  who  fell  in  these  battles  and 
were  not  accorded  proper  burial  at  the  time.  Capt.  Moore,  with 
a  detail  of  men,  was  sent  into  this  region  on  the  12th  of  June,. 
1865,  and  was  engaged  during  the  rest  of  the  month  in  collecting 
the  remains  of  Union  soldiers  and  reinterring  them  in  the  newly- 
established  cemeteries.  A  careful  and  thorough  search  was  made 
and  all  bodies  found  were  buried  under  the  direction  of  Capt. 


71 

Moore,  and  headboards  bearing  the  name,  rank,  and  regiment  of 
those  reinterred  were  placed  at  each  grave. 

At  the  Wilderness  two  national  cemeteries  were  established,  cem- 
etery No.  1  being  on  the  Orange  Court-House  turnpike,  about  two 
miles  from  the  Wilderness  tavern  ;  cemetery  No.  2  being  lo- 
cated on  the  Orange  Court-House  plank  road,  about  2^  miles  from 
its  junction  with  the  turnpike. 

At  Spottsylvania  few  bodies  were  found  uninterred,  the  dead  of 
both  armies  having  been  buried  by  a  Mr.  Sanford,  having  a  farm 
in  that  region.  These,  how^ever,  were  disinterred  and  buried  in 
the  new  national  cemetery  established  there. 

The  work  of  repair  on  the  old  Soldiers'  Home  cemetery  was  com- 
pleted in  this  year.  This  practically  comprised  the  cemeterial 
work  done  in  the  early  part  of  1865. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30, 1866,  the  Quartermaster-Gen- 
eral's oflfice  continued  to  carry  on  the  work  of  collecting  into 
national  cemeteries  the  remains  of  those  who  fell  in  battle  or  died 
in  the  cause  of  the  Union.  At  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year,  forty- 
one  of  these  cemeteries  had  been  established,  and  ten  more  had 
been  decided  upon.  Ground  was  purchased,  wherever  practicable, 
on  or  at  least  near  the  great  battle-fields,  and  dedicated  as  na- 
tional cemeteries.  Some  of  these  cemeteries,  as  shown  in  the  case 
of  Arlington,  were  created  during  the  war ;  Gettysburg,  for 
instance,  at  whose  dedication,  November  19,  1863,  Lincoln  deliv- 
ered his  memorable  address,  having  been  commenced  compara- 
tively early  in  the  war.  The  majority  came  into  existence  in  the 
years  immediately  subsequent,  being  filled  in  many  cases  with  the 
bodies  of  those  who  were  removed  from  the  hastily  excavated 
graves  on  the  battle-fields.  This  work  of  collecting  the  bodies 
from  the  battle-fields  was  continued  in  this  year  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Brevet  Brigadier-General  J.  J,  Dana. 

At  this  time  there  were  412  cemeteries,  not  the  property  of  the 
nation,  in  which  loyal  soldiers  were  buried  to  the  number  of 
237,142.  The  national  cemeteries  contained  at  this  time  104,528 
bodies,  aggregating,  with  those  buried  in  other  cemeteries,  341,670. 
Of  these,  it  was  possible  to  identify  only  202,761,  it  being  utterly 
impossible  to  identify  138,901  bodies.  There  were  besides  in  the 
national  cemeteries  the  remains  of  13,657  rebel  prisoners.  The 
total  expenses  incurred  by  the  Government  in  procuring  proper 


72 

burial  for  these  remains  amounted  to  $1,144,791,  while  it  was 
estimated  that  $1,609,294  would  be  required  to  complete  the 
work. 

As  stated  before,  the  work  of  collecting  the  dead  from  the  battle- 
fields was  carried  forward  in  this  year.  The  actual  operations  in 
the  department  of  Washington  were  under  the  superintendence 
of  Col.  M.  G.  Ludington,  chief  quartermaster,  assisted  by  Capt. 
John  R.  Hynes  and  Brevet  Major  James  Gleason,  assistant  quar- 
termaster. These  officers,  besides  having  the  care  of  the  ceme- 
teries at  Annapolis  and  Point  Lookout,  Maryland,  containing  2,675 
and  3,523  graves  respectively,  were  entrusted  with  the  disinter- 
ment of  all  bodies  buried  on  the  battle-fields  of  Maryland  and  Vir- 
ginia within  a  circuit  of  thirty-five  miles  from  Washington.  All 
these  bodies  were  reinterred  at  Arlington.  To  Col.  Ludington  was 
also  assigned  the  work  of  reinterring  the  bodies  from  the  line  of 
the  Orange  and  Alexandria  railroad  as  far  south  as  Orange  Court- 
House,  and  from  the  district  tributary  to  that  road  on  each  side, 
extending  half-way  to  the  line  of  the  Richmond  and  Fredericks- 
burg railroad  on  the  east  and  to  the  Blue  Ridge  on  the  west.  The 
bodies  north  of  the  Rappahannock  river  were  removed  to  Arling- 
ton Cemetery,  those  south  of  the  Rappahannock  being  interred  in 
the  cemetery  established  at  Culpeper  Court-House. 

A  vault  in  this  same  year  was  constructed  at  Arlington  under 
the  superintendence  of  Col.  Ludington,  to  which  were  removed 
such  scattered  and  disorganized  remains  from  the  battle-fields  of 
Bull  Run  and  Manassas  as  could  not  be  identified  for  separate 
burial. 

Perhaps  no  work  ever  before  attempted  by  an  army  officer 
presented  such  gruesome  and  uncanny  features  as  this  labor  of 
collecting  from  the  fields  of  strife  and  carnage  these  poor  dis- 
membered fragments  of  human  skeletons  that  were  once  swadded, 
perhaps,  in  the  huge  muscle  and  sinew  of  some  titanic  hero  who 
dashed  forward  into  the  very  heart  of  death's  kingdom  with  bay- 
onet fixed  and  the  warrior's  cry  of  battle  ringing  from  his  lips. 
Some  fierce,  wild  struggle,  worthy  the  tribute  of  a  laureate's  pen, 
would  be  but  vaguely  imagined  in  a  group  of  bleached  skeletons 
hidden  in  some  fence  corner,  with  bare  desiccated  bones  fractured 
by  splintering  shell  or  pierced  by  stinging  bullet.  In  sequestered 
nooks  in  the  pine  and  cedar  growth  of  the  forests  of  this  region 


73 

a  few  grim  relics  of  man's  mortality  would  tell  a  story  of  heroic 
deeds  more  glorious  tlian  the  achievements  of  mailed  knights  ;  the 
sortie  by  night  and  the  ambushed  surprise,  with  the  hopeless  bat- 
tling against  invincible  odds  ;  the  gallant  company  encompassed 
by  battalions  and  brigades  and  fighting  till  the  last  cartridge  ex- 
ploded and  then  waiting  death  and  oblivion  with  fast-gripped 
bayoneted  rifles  and  the  courage  that  made  of  our  country  a  land  of 
god-like  heroes.  These  were  the  stories  the  mute  witnesses  told  ; 
not  in  the  well-rounded  sentences  of  the  historian  or  the  spirited 
verse  of  the  poet,  but  in  a  language  as  easy  to  understand. 
Throughout  all  this  region  the  fighting  had  been  of  the  severest 
kind  ;  roaring  parks  of  artillery  had  flung  the  death-dealing  shell 
with  frightful  accuracy,  and  at  every  point  the  hand-to-hand  con- 
flict had  left  the  story  of  its  terrible  intensity  in  the  massed 
bodies  of  the  mangled  dead. 

At  times  a  tale  both  pitiful  and  tragic  would  be  told  by  the  soli- 
tary skeleton  of  some  lone  picket  who  had  fallen  at  his  post  with- 
out having  been  able  to  fire  a  shot  in  his  own  defence. 

In  all  these  cases  identification  was  impossible.  When  in  the 
sharp  conflict  of  armies  one  gave  way  and  retreated  the  other  fol- 
lowed fast  without  much  heed  for  the  brave  fellows  who  had 
dropped  from  the  company's  rolls.  In  such  cases,  unless  buried 
by  some  unselfish  Samaritan,  the  bodies  lay  in  the  bleaching  sun 
and  rain,  the  flesh  torn  away  by  the  carrion  fowls,  until  only  the 
fiercely  grinning  skull  and  brightly-polished  frame  of  bone  re- 
mained. In  many  cases,  to  the  glory  of  the  Union  army  be  it 
said,  skeletons  with  U.  S.  accoutrements  were  found  in  the  abatis 
of  rebel  earthworks,  where  they  had  been  carried  by  the  impetus 
of  some  wild  charge  and  left  by  their  comrades  when  they  fell 
death-stricken  by  the  fierce  fire  from  above. 

The  collection  of  these  scattered  remains  w^as  certainly  not  a 
pleasant  duty.  Day  after  day  the  party,  in  charge  of  Col.  Lud- 
ington,  went  carefully  over  the  ground  that  had  been  occupied  by 
the  contending  armies,  finding  at  times  clustered  groups  of  com- 
plete skeletons,  and  again  searching  closely  through  wide  fields  only 
to  find  a  pierced  skull,  or  a  few  mere  fragments.  Some  crimson- 
flowered  vine  clambering  in  rank  luxuriance  along  the  zig-zag 
fence-lines  into  some  wild,  lonely  nook  in  the  gloomy  pineries 
would,  if  followed  back  to  earth,  be  found  rioting  in  the  rich  mold 


•     ^  74 

whose  fertility  was  derived  from  near-lying,  unburied  bodies  of 
the  country's  loyal  dead. 

As  far  as  possible,  the  bones  belonging  to  one  individiial  were 
collected  and  shipped  to  Arlington  in  small  wooden  cases  about 
two  feet  long  by  a  foot  square.  Often  a  body  would  be  repre- 
sented by  a  skull  or  thigh-bone;  again  by  nearly  a  full  comple- 
ment. 

When  the  work  was  finished,  2,111  oblong  wooden  cases,  repre- 
senting this  number  of  human  beings,  had  been  placed  in  the  vault 
at  Arlington.  Afterwards  a  granite  sarcophagus  of  simple  but 
impressive  beauty  was  placed  over  this  vault,  and  is  to-day  one  of 
the  most  interesting  objects  at  Arlington.  It  bears  the  simple 
inscription  : 

Here  lie  the  bones  of  2,111  iinkuown  soldiers.  Their  remains  could  not  be  iden- 
tified, but  their  names  and  deaths  are  recorded  in  the  archives  of  their  country^ 
and  its  grateful  citizens  honor  them  as  of  their  noble  army  of  martyrs.  May  they 
rest  in  peace. 

Besides  this  work  Col.  Ludington  and  Capt.  John  R.  Hynes 
also  were  assigned,  as  stated  before,  the  task  of  removing  to 
Arlington  the  dead  bodies  disinterred  in  Maryland  within  a  circuit  of 
thirty-live  miles  from  Washington.  A  numbered  list  of  these  exhum- 
ations was  prepared  by  Capt.  Hynes,  who  also  made  a  great  number 
of  sketches  of  the  various  localities  whence  the  bodies  were  taken. 
Figures  were  marked  on  the  sketches  to  correspond  with  those  on 
the  lists,  the' latter  giving  in  each  case  the  location  of  the  body  as 
reinterred  at  Arlington.  The  lists  and  sketch-books  were  placed 
on  file  in  Washington  on  the  completion  of  the  work  and  led  to 
the  identification  of  many  of  these  bodies,  particularly  in  the  case 
of  those  marked  "  unknown."  In  all  cases,  whether  the  bodies 
were  known  or  unknown,  the  localitj^  from  which  they  were 
removed,  together  with  the  date  of  removal,  M'as  placed  upon  the 
headboards. 

The  total  number  of  bodies  of  United  States  soldiers  buried  in 
the  department  of  Washington  under  the  charge  of  Col.  Luding- 
ton in  this  year  was  5,287,  of  which  number  4,180  were  finally 
identified.  The  total  number  of  interments  in  the  department  of 
Washington  at  this  time  Was  as  follows  : 

1.  United  States  Military  Asylum,  5,717  graves. 

2.  Harmony  National  Cemetery,  3,251  graves. 


75 

3.  Battle  Cemetery,  40  graves. 

4.  Union  Cemetery,  1,012  graves. 

5.  Arlington,  9,795  graves, 

6.  Alexandria  Cemetery,  3,601  graves. 
Total  number  of  graves  23,416. 

During  the  years  1866,  '67,  '68,  '69,  and  '70  the  work  of  the 
cemeterial  branch  of  the  Quartermaster-General's  office  was  car- 
ried steadily  forward,  and  the  report  for  the  latter  year  shows  that 
but  little  remained  to  be  accomplished.  The  labors  of  this  divis- 
ion were  virtually  completed.  Occasionally  bodies  were  found 
after  this  lapse  of  years,  but  they  were  few  in  number  and  were 
removed  as  soon  as  discovered  to  the  nearest  national  cemetery. 

Plans  for  beautifying  the  cemeteries  by  planting  shrubs  and  orna- 
mental trees  were  carried  into  effect  during  this  year.  At  Arling- 
ton and  four  other  cemeteries  handsome  arched  gateways  were 
erected,  and  the  Arlington  cemetery  was  also  improved  by  the 
construction  of  -a  stone  wall  entirely  enclosing  the  portion  set  aside 
for  burial  purposes  at  that  time. 

During  the  year  the  interments  of  Union  dead  throughout  the 
country  numbered  315,555  ;  of  this  number,  143,446  being  un- 
identified. 

Prior  to  1869  twenty-one  volumes  of  the  Roll  of  Honor,  con- 
taining the  record  of  255,655  of  deceased  Union  soldiers,  were 
published,  and  in  this  year  four  volumes  were  added  containing 
the  record  of  77,300  graves.  i' 

During  the  year  1870  the  work  of  improving  Arlington  was. 
continued,  many  interments  being  made.  At  the  close  of  the 
fiscal  year  15,932  graves  were  located  within  the  enclosed  grounds. 

During  the  year  1871  many  improvements  in  the  grounds  at 
Arlington  were  mapped  out  and  carried  into  effect.  A  large  and 
imposing  entrance  gate  of  Seneca  stone  was  erected.  A  "  sylvan 
grove  "  of  maples  was  planted  in  the  southwest  portion  of  the 
grounds,  on  the  plan  of  a  Gothic  cathedral,  with  arched  avenues, 
leading  away  in  all  directions. 

In  the  year  1872  the  Quartermaster-General  decided  upon  the 
form  of  headstone  now  in  use,  and  for  the  first  time  the  plain 
plank  headboards  were  removed  and  the  substantial  slabs  of  gran- 
ite and  marble  that  now  mark  each  soldier's  grave  were  placed  in 
all  the  cemeteries. 


76 

From  this  time  on  until  tlie  year  1892  the  history  of  Arlington 
is  too  uneventful,  aside  from  the  legal  battle  for  its  possession,  to 
deserve  a  detailed  chronicle.  As  the  years  passed,  the  white 
headstones  increased  in  number  and  the  city  of  the  dead  grew  in 
population.  No  great  changes  came,  however.  A  wide  section 
was  set  aside  for  the  burial  of  the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy, 
to  the  west  of  the  mansion,  and  only  lately  two  interments  have 
been  made  on  the  sloping  lawn  in  front  of  the  house.  These 
graves  contain  the  bodies  of  Gen.  Sheridan  and  Admiral  Porter, 
and  it  has  always  been  the  hope  of  the  American  people  that  the 
body  of  Grant  would  rest  with  these  at  Arlington.  Within  a 
year  the  stone  wall  enclosing  that  portion  of  Arlington  set  aside 
for  burial  purposes  has  been  moved  and  run  further  to  the  south 
so  as  to  enclose  the  old  earthworks    known  as  Fort  McPherson., 

This  addition  will  give  nearly  100  acres  more  for  burials.  The 
land  is  entirely  clear,  the  great  forest  belt  that  extended  along 
the  plateau  having  been  cut  away,  both  to  the  west  and  south, 
when  Forts  Whipple  and  McPherson  were  established. 

During  the  past  summer  the  laboring  force  at  Arlington,  under 
the  superintendence  of  landscape  gardener  Ehodes,  has  trans- 
formed the  old  dismantled  earthwork  south  of  the  cemetery  proper 
into  a  fair  semblance  of  the  sturdy  structure  that  stood  there 
during  the  war.  Moat,  bastions,  and  parapet  cleanly  clad  in 
velvety  turf,  with  sharp  angles  and  smooth  flat  surfaces  rising 
fi'om  the  surrounding  sward,  will  bring  back  to  every  soldier  and 
veteran  of  the  late  war  long  dead  memories  of  the  days  when 
behind  every  such  embankment  lay  massed  troops  and  heavy 
pieces  of  ordnance  ready  for  the  terrible  earnest  work  before 
them. 

Fort  McPherson  redivivus  is  far  handsomer  than  the  old  Fort 
McPherson,  designed  for  purely  utilitarian  purposes.  The  lines 
of  the  latter  in  their  mathematical  accuracy  have  not  been  dis- 
turbed, bnt  sodded  slopes  now  face  the  invader  where  in  time  of  war 
there  was  only  the  bare  yellow  clay,  revetted  in  places  by  plank- 
ing and  timbers.  The  sharp  edges  of  the  bastions,  too,  are  out- 
lined with  a  care  and  delicacy  that,  while  adding  to  the  beauty  of 
the  place,  detracts  in  some  sense  from  the  feeling  of  realism  in- 
duced by  a  sight  of  this  restored  relic  of  the  time  of  Washington's 
greatest   danger.     The  fort,  however,  will  be  an  object-lesson  to 


77 

the  thousands  who  visit  it  and  will  in  all  probability  form  one  of 
the  objects  of  greatest  interest  to  the  average  visitor. 

Superintendent  J.  A.  Commerford  has  entire  charge  of  the 
national  cemetery  at  Arlington,  having  been  appointed  to  his 
present  position  about  six  years  ago  by  the  War  Department. 
Superintendent  Commerford  has  a  force  of  fourteen  laborers  con- 
stantly employed  on  the  grounds,  and  has,  besides,  the  direction  of 
the  operations  of  the  special  force  that  for  some  time  past  has 
been  at  work  on  the  restoration  of  Fort  McPherson.  Landscape 
gardener  D.  H.  Ehodes  has  charge  of  the  floral  display,  and  under 
the  direction  of  the  superintendent  supervises  all  work  connected 
with  improvements  on  or  about  the  grounds.  Nearly  all  the  work- 
men employed  are  ex-Union  soldiers.  One  of  them,  however,  is 
an  old  negro,  Wesley  Norris,  one  of  the  slaves  of  Mr.  Custis,  who 
was  born  on  the  estate  and  often  accompanied  his  master  on  his 
long  hunting  expeditions.  He  was  one  of  the  squad  of  slaves  that 
bore  the  body  of  the  first  master  of  Arlington  House  to  his  lonely 
grave  in  the  deep  grove  west  of  the  mansion,  now  marked  by  a 
crumbling  stone  shaft. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    government's    TITLE    TO    ARLINGTON   AND     HOW   OBTAINED — IN- 
TERESTING  LEGAL   DOCUMENTS. 

The  story  of  the  passage  of.  the  Arlington  estate  from  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Lees  to  that  of  the  United  States  Government  is  not  the 
least  interesting  portion  of  the  story  of  this  historic  old  place.  In 
the  very  first  days  of  the  war,  as  already  shown,  it  was  occupied  by 
the  Union  forces  and  never  after  ceased  to  be  occupied  and  used 
by  the  United  States.  In  January,  1864,  the  Government  secured 
■what  was  deemed  a  good  title  to  the  estate  by  purchase  at  a  sale 
in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  direct  tax-act.  August  5, 
1861,  the  Government,  in  order  to  raise  sufficient  funds  to  carry 
on  the  war,  passed  "An  act  to  provide  increased  revenues  from 
imports  to  pay  interest  on  the  public  debt,  and  for  other  purposes." 
Section  8  of  this  act  provided  for  the  levying  of  a  direct  tax  upon 
the  United  States  annually  of  $20,000,000,  apportioned  among 
the  several  States.  Virginia's  share  of  the  direct  tax  amounted  to 
|937,550.66f. 

On  June  7,  1862,  an  act  was  passed  providing  for  the  collection 
of  the  direct  taxes  in  the  insurrectionary  districts  within  the 
United  States.  It  had  been  ascertained  long  before  this  that  it 
was  impossible  to  collect  the  taxes,  levied  by  the  direct  tax  act,  in 
the  States  at  this  time  in  open  rebellion.  This  act  provided  that 
when,  by  reason  of  insurrection  in  any  State,  the  civil  authority 
became  obstructed  and  the  act  providing  for  the  collection  of  the 
direct  tax  could  not  be  peacefully  executed,  the  tax  apportionment 
should  be  charged  or  apportioned  in  each  insurrectionary'  district 
upon  all  lands  and  lots  of  ground  according  to  the  enumeration 
and  valuation  of  the  last  assessment  preceding  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war.  The  act  provided  further  for  the  sale  of  all  such 
tracts  or  parcels  of  land  in  order  to  secure  the  payment  of  this 
tax,  and  set  forth  at  great  length  the  manner  in  which  such  sale 
should  be  conducted.  Commissioners  were  appointed  whose  duty 
it  should  be  to  apportion  the  assessments  and  conduct  the  sales 
according  to  the  provisions  of  the  act.  A  final  section  of  the  bill 
read  as  follows : 


79 

And  provided  further,  That  at  such  sale  any  tracts,  parcels,  or  lots  of  land  which 
may  be  selected  under  the  direction  of  the  President  for  Government  use  for  war, 
military,  naval,  revenue,  charitable,  educational,  or  police  purposes,  may  at  said 
sale  be  bid  in  by  said  commissioners,  under  the  direction  of  the  President,  for  and 
struck  off  to  the  United  States. 

On  the  6th  of  February  an  act  was  passed  to  amend  "  An  act  for 
the  collection  of  direct  taxes  in  the  insurrectionarj'  districts."  This 
act,  based  upon  the  failures  and  mistakes  of  the  former  act,  con- 
tained detailed  and  specific  instructions  as  to  the  manner  in  which 
such  sales  should  be  conducted. 

Under  the  provisions  of  these  acts  and  the  amendments  thereto 
the  sale  of  the  Arlington  estate  on  the  11th  of  January,  1864,  was 
advertised  in  the  Virginia  State  Journal  from  the  21st  of  Novem- 
ber, 1863,  the  date  of  the  first  insertion,  until  the  day  preceding 
the  sale.  In  January,  1864,  Arlington  was  occupied  by  two  forts, 
with  full  garrisons  and  thousands  of  tents.  In  consequence,  the 
Secretary  of  War  recommended  to  the  President  that  the  estate 
be  purchased  by  the  U,  S.  Government  for  military  purposes. 
President  Lincoln  acted  on  this  recommendation,  and  on  the  11th 
of  January,  1864,  the  estate  of  1,100  acres  was  put  up  at  public 
sale,  and  after  but  little  competition  was  bid  in  and  struck  oflf  to 
the  United  States  by  the  order  of  the  President,  acting  in  accord- 
ance with  the  provisions  of  the  act  cited  above.  The  amount  of 
the  Government's  purchasing  bid  was  $26,100.  The  estate  had 
been  assessed  the  year  previous  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  at 
$34,100. 

The  three  commissioners  for  Yirginia  who  had  charge  of  the 
sale  of  the  Arlington  estate  were  John  Hawxhurst,  Gilbert  F. 
Watson,  and  A.  Lawrence  Foster.  By  reason  of  some  remissness 
the  certificate  of  this  tax  sale  was  not  made  out  until  September 
26,  1866,  the  year  after  the  war  closed. 

From  this  time  on  the  Government  held  possession  under  the 
tax-sale  title.  In  Maj^  1864,  burials  of  Union  soldiers  were  made 
on  the  place  and  shortly  after  it  was  established  as  a  national 
cemetery. 

Neither  Gen.  Lee  nor  his  wife,  Mary  Custis  Lee,  made  any  at- 
tempt to  regain  possession  of  the  Arlington  property.  They  were 
but  life  tenants  and  had  no  title  to  the  property,  which  had  been 
devised  by   George  Washington   Parke    Custis  to  his  grandson, 


80 

George  Washington  Custis   Lee,  by  the  terms  of  his  will,  which 
read  as  follows : 

Will  of  G.  W.  P.  Custis. 

In  the  name  of  God,  amen.  I,  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  of  Arlington 
House,  in  the  county  of  Alexandria  and  State  of  Virginia,  being  sound  in  body  and 
mind,  do  make  and  ordain  this  instrument  of  writing  as  my  last  will  and  testament, 
revoking  all  other  wills  and  testaments  whatever.  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my 
dearly  beloved  daughter  and  only  child,  Mary  Ann  Kandolph  Lee,  my  Arlington 
House  estate,  in  the  county  of  Alexandria  and  State  of  Virginia,  containing  eleven 
hundred  acres,  more  or  less,  and  my  mill  on  Four-Mile  Run,  in  the  county  of 
Alexandria,  and  the  lands  of  mine  adjacent  to  said  mill,  in  the  counties  of  Alexan- 
dria and  Fairfax,  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  the  use  and  benefit  of  all  just  mentioned 
during  the  term  of  her  natural  life,  together  with  my  horses  and  carriages,  furni- 
ture, pictures,  and  plate,  during  the  term  of  her  natural  life. 

On  the  death  of  my  daughter,  Mary  Ann  Randolph  Lee,  all  the  property  left  to 
her  during  the  term  of  her  natural  life  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  eldest  grandson, 
George  Washington  Custis  Lee,  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever,  he,  my  said  eldest 
grandson,  taking  my  name  and  arms. 

I  leave  and  bequeath  to  my  four  granddaughters,  Mary,  Ann,  Agnes,  and  Mil- 
dred Lee,  to  each  ten  thousand  dollars.  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  second  grand- 
son, William  Henry  Fitzhugh  Lee,  when  he  shall  be  of  age,  my  estate  called  the 
White  House,  in  the  county  of  New  Kent  and  State  of  Virginia,  containing  four 
thousand  acres,  more  or  less,  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  third  and  youngest  grandson,  Robert  Edward  Lee, 
when  he  is  of  age,  mj'  estate  in  the  county  of  King  William  and  State  of  Virginia, 
called  Romancock,  containing  four  thousand  acres,  more  or  less,  to  him  and  his 
heirs  forever. 

My  estate  of  Smith's  Island,  at  the  capes  of  Virginia,  and  in  the  county  of  North- 
ampton, I  leave  to  be  sold  to  assist  in  paying  my  granddaughters'  legacies,  to  be 
sold  in  such  manner  as  may  be  deemed  by  my  executors  most  expedient. 

Any  and  all  lands  that  I  may  possess  in  the  counties  of  Stafford,  Richmond,  and 
Westmoreland,  I  leave  to  be  sold  to  aid  in  paying  my  granddaughters'  legacies. 

I  give  and  bequeath  my  lot  in  square  No.  21,  Washington  city,  to  my  son-in-law, 
Lieut.  Col.  Robert  E.  Lee,  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever.  My  daughter,  Mary  A. 
R.  Lee,  has  the  privilege,  by  this  will,  of  dividing  my  family  plate  among  my  grand- 
children, but  the  Mt.  Vernon  altogether,  and  every  article  I  possess  relating  to 
Washington  and  that  came  from  Mt.  Vernon  is  to  remain  with  my  daughter  at 
Arlington  House  during  said  daughter's  life,  and  at  her  death  to  go  to  my  eldest 
grandson,  George  Washington  Custis  Lee,  and  to  descend  from  him  entire  and 
unchanged  to  my  latest  posterity. 

My  estates  of  the  White  House,  in  the  county  of  New  Kent,  and  Romancock,  in 
the  county  of  King  William,  both  being  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  together  with 
Smith's  Island,  and  the  lands  I  may  possess  in  the  counties  of  Stafford,  Richmond, 
and  Westmoreland  counties  are  charged  with  the  payment  of  the  legacies  of  my 
granddau  ghters . 

Smith's  Island  and  the  aforesaid  lands  in  Stafford,  Richmond,  and  Westmoreland 
only  are  to  be  sold,  the  lands  of  the  White  House  and  Romancock  to  be  worked  to 
raise  the  aforesaid  legacies  to  my  four  granddaughters. 

And  upon  the  legacies   to  my  four  granddaughters  being  paid,  and  my  estates 


81 

that  are  required  to  pay  the  said  legacies  being  clear  of  debt,  then  I  give  freedom 
to  my  slaves,  the  said  slaves  to  be  emancipated  by  my  executors  in  such  manner  as 
to  my  executors  may  seem  most  expedient  and  proper,  the  said  emancipation  to  be 
accomplished  in  not  exceeding  five  years  from  the  time  of  my  decease. 

And  I  do  constitute  and  appoint  as  my  executors  Lieut.  Col.  Robert  Edward 
Lee,  Robert  Lee  Randolph,  of  Eastern  View,  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Meade,  and  George 
Washington  Peter. 

This  will,  written  by  my  hand,  is  signed,  sealed,  and  executed  the  twenty-sixth 
day  of  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  PARKE  CUSTIS.     [seal.] 
26th  March,  1855. 
Witness  : 

Mabtha  Custis  Williams. 

M.  EUGKNE   WeBSTEB. 

George  Washington  Custis  Lee  did  not  take  the  name  and  arms 
of  Custis  as  required,  so  in  order  to  quiet  the  claims  of  the  other 
heirs  and  to  secure  to  G.  W.  C.  Lee  the  property  devised  to  him 
by  his  grandfather  Mrs.  Lee  left  at  her  death  the  following  will : 

Will  of  Maey  C.  Lee. 

In  the  name  of  God,  amen.  I,  Mary  Custis  Lee,  widow  of  General  Robert  E. 
Lee,  do  make,  publish,  and  declare  this  as  my  last  will  and  testament. 

In  compliance  with  the  wishes  expressed  in  the  last  will  and  testament  of  my 
deceased  husband,  Robert  E.  Lee,  and  by  virtue  of  the  power  and  authority  therein 
conferred  upon  me,  I  appoint  and  direct  as  follows  : 

First.  That  owing  to  an  arrangement  between  my  children  satisfactory  to  them, 
and  my  sons  W.  H.  F.  Lee  and  Robert  E.  Lee  having  in  writing  relinquished  all 
benefit,  present  or  prospective,  in  the  estate  of  their  father,  Robert  E.  Lee,  de- 
ceased, it  is  my  will  and  desire,  in  view  of  said  agreement  and  relinquishment, 
that  the  said  W.  H.  F.  Lee  and  Robert  E,  Lee  be  excluded  from  any  participation 
in  the  estate  of  said  Robert  E.  Lee,  deceased. 

Second.  It  is  my  will  and  desire,  and  I  do  so  appoint  and  direct,  that  all  of  the 
estate  of  the  said  Robert  E.  Lee  shall,  upon  my  decease,  be  equally  divided  be- 
tween my  son  G.  W.  Custis  Lee  and  my  three  daughters,  Mary,  Mildred,  and 
Agnes,  share  and  share  alike,  each  taking  one  equal  fourth  part. 

Third.  Should  my  son,  G.  W.  Custis  Lee,  recover  the  estate  called  Arlington, 
situate  in  the  county  of  Alexandria,  Va. ,  or  be  paid  therefor  by  the  Government 
of  the  United  States,  then,  and  in  that  event,  it  is  my  will  and  desire,  and  I  so 
appoint  and  direct,  that  the  one-fourth  part  of  his  father's  estate  given  to  him,  the 
said  G.  Custis  Lee,  in  the  foregoing  clause  of  my  will,  shall  pass  and  belong  to  my 
three  daughters  above  named,  in  equal  portions. 

I  appoint  my  sons  G.  W.  Custis  Lee  and  W.  H.  F.  Lee  executors  of  this  my 
last  will  and  testament  without  security. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  this  9th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1873. 

MARY  CUSTIS  LEE. 

Witnesses : 

A.  M.  Lee. 
Fhancxs  G.  Smith. 


82 

By  the  provisions  of  these  wills  Mr.  George  Washington  Custis 
Lee  became  the  sole  claimant  to  the  Arlington  estate,  and  took 
the  first  steps  to  secure  possession,  or  at  least  a  fair  compensation 
for  the  loss  of  the  estate,  by  filing  in  the  circuit  court  of  Alex- 
andria a  suit  in  ejectment  against  Frederick  Kauffman  and  R.  P. 
Strong,  parties  occupying  the  ground  as  representatives  of  the 
Government.  Mr.  Kauffman  was  at  that  time  superintendent  of  the 
national  cemetery  at  Arlington,  which  contained  not  more  than 
200  acres.  R.  P.  Strong  was  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort 
Whipple,  now  Fort  Myer,  then  the  home  of  the  Signal  Corps  of 
the  Ai'my.  These  proceedings  in  ejectment  also  included  about 
200  negroes,  residents  of  Freed  man's  village,  who  were  permitted 
to  hold  small  tracts  of  land  on  the  Arlington  estate  in  return  for 
which  privilege  they  were  expected  to  work  a  certain  number  of 
hours  each  day  at  the  fort.  Early  in  the  proceedings,  however, 
an  order  was  issued  dismissing  the  suit  against  these  negroes,  as 
it  was  clearly  shown  that  they  were  simply  tenants  of  Comman- 
dant Strong. 

Action  was  commenced  in  the  circuit  court  of  Alexandria  on 
the  first  Monday  in  May,  1877,  but  was,  as  soon  as  the  declara- 
tion was  filed,  removed  by  writ  of  certiorari  to  the  circuit  court  of 
the  United  States  for  the  eastern  district  of  Virginia,  where  all 
the  subsequent  proceedings  took  place. 

After  a  long  though  interesting  hearing  a  verdict  in  favor  of  the 
plaintiff  was  rendered. 

Although  the  United  States  had  not  appeared  as  a  party  to  the 
suit  in  the  court  below,  the  case  was  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court 
on  a  writ  of  error,  based  on  the  rejection  of  a  suggesiaon  submitted 
during  the  hearing  in  the  inferior  court  by  the  Attorney-General 
moving  the  withdrawal  of  the  action,  inasmuch  as  the  United 
States  had  established  its  claim  to  the  land  involved  by  a  ten- 
years  holding  and  a  valid  title  conferred  by  the  tax  sale. 

The  appeal  was  heard  during  the  October  term  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  1882,  and  was  argued  by  Wm.  D.  Shipman,  A.  Ferguson 
Beach,  and  Wm.  J.  Roberts  for  the  defendant,  and  Solicitor 
Westell  Willoughby  for  the  Government.  The  decision,  which 
was  rendered  by  Justice  Miller,  held  briefly  that  the  court  below 
had  no  jurisdiction  in  the  case,  and  the  verdict,  therefore,  could 
not  hold.     The  suit  in  ejectment  against  Strong  and  Kauffman,  it 


83 

was  shown,  was  really  a  suit  against  the  United  States,  and  as  a 
sovereign  cannot  be  sued  without  his  consent,  the  Supreme  Court 
held  that  the  lower  court  had  acted  without  authority,  inasmuch 
as  it  had  no  power  to  render  judgment  where  it  could  not  enforce 
■execution. 

This  decision,  however,  granted  the  validity  of  the  title  of  Mr. 
Xiee  to  the  estate  and  left  the  National  Government  in  the  posi- 
tion of  holding  possession  of  the  estate  involved  by  barring  the 
■claimant  from  further  action  in  the  courts.  It  was  fully  under- 
stood, however,  that  the  Government  could  have  no  just  title  to 
the  estate  and  the  Secretary  of  War  was  in  consequence  directed 
by  a  resolution  of  Congress  to  ascertain  upon  what  terms  a  valid 
title  to  the  property  could  be  secured.  He  accordingly  conferred 
with  Mr.  Lee,  who  expressed  his  willingness  to  yield  all  claims  to 
the  Arlington  estate  and  deed  the  same  to  the  United  States  for 
the  sum  of  $150,000. 

On  transmitting  this  information  to  Congress  a  clause  was  em- 
bodied in  the  general  deficiency  bill,  passed  March  3,  1883,  ap- 
propriating the  sum  named.  The  clause  carrying  the  appropria- 
tion reads  as  follows  : 

To  enable  the  Secretary  of  War  to  remove  all  claims  and  pretensions  in  re- 
spect of  the  property  in  the  State  of  Virginia  known  as  Arlington,  on  which  a  ceme- 
tery for  the  burial  of  deceased  soldiers  of  the  United  States  has  been  established, 
and  which  property  was  taken  by  the  United  States  for  public  use  in  the  year  anno 
Domini  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four,  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  ; 
Ijut  this  appropriation  shall  not  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  until  the  Attorney- 
■General  shall  be  satisfied,  and  so  certify  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  the  deed  or 
■deeds  to  be  given  to  the  United  States  to  the  end  aforesaid  will  convey  a  complete 
title  and  contain  covenants  of  general  warranty  and  covenants  against  every  man- 
ner of  claim  against  or  in  respect  of  said  property,  whether  in  rem  or  in  personam, 
and  also  against  all  and  every  claim  for  damages  in  respect  of,  or  the  use  and  oc- 
cupation of,  said  property,  and  also  a  release  by  every  person  entitled  of  all  claim 
ior  and  to  the  amount  bid,  or  any  part  thereof,  in  behalf  of  the  United  States,  on 
the  tax  sale  of  said  property. 

A  deed  to  the  property  in  question  was  promptly  executed  by 
Mr.  Lee  and  presented  to  the  Attorney-General  for  his  approval. 
The  latter,  acting  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  act 
making  the  appropriation,  examined  closely  into  Mr.  Lee's  title  to 
the  Arlington  property,  and  after  assuring  himself  that  the  deed 
conveyed  a  complete  warranty  against  every  manner  of  claim 
against  the  property  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  War  a  lengthy 


84 

opinion  in  which  he  reviewed  the  legal  history  of  the  suits  for  re- 
covery and  the  title  of  the  claimant  to  the  property.  This  title  of 
Mr.  Lee  was  found  to  be  without  flaw,  and  the  deed  submitted  by 
him  fulfilled  all  the  requirements  of  the  provisions  of  the  act  of 
March  3d.  Accordingly  the  opinion  of  the  Attorney-General  con- 
cludes with  the  statement :  "  Therefore  I  am  of  the  opinion  that 
the  deed  of  Mr.  Lee  may  properly  be  accepted  upon  the  terms 
proposed."  Upon  the  receipt  of  the  opinion  of  Attorney-General 
Brewster  Secretary  Lincoln  ordered  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
to  make  the  payment  provided  for  in  the  appropriation.  Shortly 
after,  Mr.  Lee  received  the  sum  of  $150,000  from  the  Treasury 
Department  and  the  United  States  came  into  possession  of  a  per- 
fect and  flawless  title  to  the  Arlington  House  estate. 

The  authors  of  this  work,  at  great  labor  and  expense,  have  ob- 
tained the  following  document  showing  the  manner  in  which  the 
lands  under  discussion  have  changed  owners  from  the  days  of 
Gov.  Berkeley  in  1669  to  the  present  time : 

"  An  abstract  of  title  to  the  Arlington  House  estate,  a  tract  of 
land  containing  about  1,100  acres,  situate  in  Alexandria  county,, 
formerly  Fairfax  county,  State  of  Virginia.  The  land  was  a  part 
of  the  grant  or  patent  from  Sir  William  Berkeley,  Governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, to  Eobert  Howser,  dated  October  21,  1669,  under  which 
John  and  Gerard  Alexander  asserted  title  as  late  as  1735.  In  the 
case  of  Birch  v.  Alexander,  1.  Wash.  (Va.)  R.  34,  this  grant  was. 
maintained  by  the  court  of  appeals. 

Gerard  Alexander,  by  his  will,  dated  August  9,  1760,  devised 
the  same  to  his  son  Gerard.  Vide  Will  Book  B,  p.  327,  Fairfax 
county  records.  Gerard  Alexander  and  Jane,  his  wife,  conveyed 
the  same  to  John  Parke  Custis  by  deed,  dated  December  25,  A. 
D.  1778.  The  general  index  shows  that  such  a  deed  was  recorded 
Liber  N,  Fairfax  county  records,  but,  with  other  records  of  that 
county,  was  lost  or  destroyed  during  the  late  war.  A  certified 
copy  of  the  original  deed  has  been  preserved  and  is  submitted 
with  this  abstract  for  delivery  to  the  United  States  as  a  muni- 
ment of  title.  Pursuant  to  a  decree  of  Fairfax  county  court 
dated  June  21,  1796,  in  a  suit  wherein  the  representatives  of  John 
Parke  Custis  were  complainants  and  the  heirs  of  Gerard  Alex- 
ander were  defendants,  the  portion  of  Gerard  Alexander,  Jr.,  iu 
the  lands  of  his  father  were  allotted  to  the  legal   representatives 


85 

of  the  said  John  Parke  Custis.  The  record  of  this  suit  was,  how- 
•ever,  lost  or  destroyed  in  the  late  war. 

John  Parke  Custis  died,  intestate,  on  the  5th  of  November,  A.  D. 
1781,  fetat  28.  The  law  of  primogeniture  was  then  in  force,  and 
this  estate  descended  to  his  only  son,  George  W.  P.  Custis.  As 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  Irving's  '  Life  of  Washington,'  vol.  4,  p. 
358,  and  a  certificate  of  the  clerk  of  Fairfax  county  show  that  ad- 
ministration of  his  estate  had  been  granted  by  that  court  prior  to 
February  20,  1782. 

Primogeniture  in  Virginia  was  abolished  by  an  act  passed  Octo- 
l)er,  1785,  to  take  effect  January  1,  1787.  (Hening's  Statutes, 
vol.  12,  p.  138.)  George  Washington  Parke  Custis  died  seized 
iind  possessed  of  this  estate  in  1857.  By  his  will,  dated  March 
^6,  1855,  it  was  devised  to  his  only  child,  Mary  Ann  Eandolph 
Lee,  for  life,  remainder  in  fee  to  his  '  eldest  grandson,  George  W. 
O.  Lee,  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever,  he,  my  said  eldest  grandson, 
taking  my  name  and  arms '  (Will  Book  No.  7,  p.  267,  Alexandria 
county  court),  and  for  copy  of  said  will  and  decree  admitting 
«ame  to  probate  vide  record  of  the  case,  The  United  States  v.  G. 
W.  C.  Lee,  pp.  74-75. 

In  that  suit  it  was  proved  that  Geo.  Wash.  Parke  Custis  had 
possessed  and  lived  upon  the  estate  for  more  than  35  years,  prior 
to  its  institution,  and  by  the  land  books  of  the  county  that  the 
estate  had  been  listed  and  assessed  for  taxation  as  the  property  of 
Geo.  W.  P.  Custis  during  his  lifetime,  and  he  was  born  prior  to 
1780. 

Mrs.  M.  A.  E.  Lee,  the  tenant  for  life,  died  in  1873,  and  as  G. 
W.  C.  Lee  did  not  take  the  name  and  arms  of  his  grandfather,  to 
avoid  any  question  of  his  title,  his  heirs,  who  were  the  children  of 
Mrs.  Lee,  waived  in  a  release  any  claim  they  might  have  to  the 
whole.  (Vide  Liber  B,  No.  4,  folio  414,  Alexandria  County  Court ; 
also  record  of  above-mentioned  suit,  pp.  78  and  79.) 

The  estate  was  held  and  possessed  by  Mrs,  Lee  until  1861, 
since  which  period  the  United  States  has  held  it  in  possession, 
and  since  1864,  when  it  was  held  for  direct  taxes,  has  claimed  it 
as  absolute  owner." 


CHAPTEE  VIII. 

THE  NATIONAL  CEMETERY — A  GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  ARLINGTON, 
WITH  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  SOME  OF  THE  DISTINGUISHED  SOLDIERS 
BURIED   THERE. 

The  cemetery  as  it  appears  to  the  visitor  now  presents,  seem- 
ingly, endless  vistas  of  marble  headstones,  stretching  out  in  un- 
broken lines  like  the  silent  army  of  the  dead  standing  in  review 
before  the  succeeding  generation  of  the  living.  Notwithstanding 
this,  however,  only  a  small  portion  of  the  ground  enclosed  within 
the  walls  of  Arlington  is  occupied  by  graves.  The  rest  is  still 
taken  up  with  the  sloping  lawns  and  groves  of  magnificent  oaks, 
with  here  and  there  bits  of  wild  wood,  as  yet  unadorned  by  the 
art  of  the  landscape  gardener. 

The  main  entrances  to  the  grounds  are  along  the  Georgetown 
and  Alexandria  road,  which  skirts  the  hills  of  the  cemetery  and 
winds  its  way  along  the  level  ground  below.  Here  there  are  three 
gates,  flanked  by  columns  and  ornamented  by  arches,  and  a  fourth, 
known  as  the  new  gate,  which  swings  between  massive  piles  of 
masonry  that  once  formed  a  portion  of  the  old  War  Department 
building.  The  first  of  these  gates  is  the  Ord  and  Weitzel  gate. 
On  either  side  is  a  tall  column  surmounted  by  a  funeral  urn,  and 
on  the  columns  are  inscribed  the  names  of  Gens.  Ord  and  WeitzeL 
Lower  down  the  road  is  a  larger  and  more  imposing  entrance,, 
known  as  the  Sheridan  gate.  Here  there  are  four  columns  sup- 
porting a  moulded  cross-piece  of  stone.  The  name  Sheridan 
stands  out  in  bold  relief  from  the  masonry,  and  on  each  of  the 
four  columns  is  a  distinguished  name.  The  names  are  Scott,  Lin- 
coln, Stanton,  and  Grant.  The  third  gate  is  the  McClellan  gate. 
At  this  the  entrance  to  the  grounds  is  marked  by  a  massive  struc- 
ture of  red  sandstone,  artistic  in  its  design  and  imposing  in  it& 
strength  and  beauty.  Over  the  gateway  is  the  name  of  the  con- 
queror at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  and  beneath  it  an  appropriate 
inscription.  The  fourth  gate  is  a  new  gate,  very  simple  in  its  de- 
sign and  as  yet  but  little  used. 

From  each  of  these  gates  roadways  winding  through  beautiful 


groves  of  trees  lead  to  the  mansion.  From  the  Ord  and  Weitzel 
gate  the  road  takes  the  \dsitor  through  a  narrow  strip  of  ground 
in  which  the  first  burials  during  the  war  were  made.  The  strip 
contains  not  more  than  an  acre  or  two,  but  in  it  are  about  5,000 
graves.  It  terminates  in  a  narrow  point  formed  by  the  road  and 
the  stone  wall  of  the  cemetery,  and  above  this  point  is  a  large  circu- 
lar bed  of  flowers  Passing  the  flowers,  the  road  plunges  sud- 
denly into  a  wood  so  dense  and  wild  that  one  wonders  if  the  peaceful 
little  burying-ground  through  which  he  has  passed  can  have  any 
connection  with  the  great  national  cemetery.  Proceeding,  this  feel- 
ing of  wonder  increases  as  along  hillsides  and  through  deep  ravines 
the  road  winds  its  way,  flanked  all  the  time  by  sturdy  oaks  and 
a  dense  undergrowth  of  saplings,  till  suddenly,  after  a  steep 
climb,  it  emerges  from  the  natural  forest  ink)  the  area  of  well- 
cared-for  grounds  about  the  stately  old  mansion. 

The  roads  that  lead  up  from  the  other  gates  have  about  them 
none  of  the  wild  beauty  that  marks  the  thoroughfare  just  de- 
scribed, but  they  are  none  the  less  beautiful.  They  pass  beneath 
the  spreading  branches  of  gigantic  oaks,  and  wind  about  on  ter- 
races, flanked  by  smooth  rolling  lawns.  The  grounds  through 
which  they  pass  formed  originally  the  park  of  the  Custis  estate, 
and  few  changes  have  been  made  in  them  since  the  good-natured 
founder  of  the  place  put  them  in  shape.  The  Government  has 
improved  the  roads  and  smoothed  down  the  rough  places,  but  the 
natural  beauty  of  the  place  remains  as  it  was  when  Custis,  as  a 
young  man,  first  erected  Arlington  House.  At  intervals  along 
both  roads  huge  blocks  of  hewn  stone  are  found  which  were 
placed  in  their  present  positions  years  ago  and  used  as  seats  by 
Custis  and  his  friends. 

All  the  roads,  no  matter  at  what  place  the  entrance  to  the 
grounds  is  made,  lead  to  but  one  central  point,  the  picturesque 
old  house.  It  stands  embowered  in  virgin  trees,  the  most  in- 
teresting feature  still  of  the  vast  resting-place  of  the  dead,  while 
ranged  about  it,  in  shady  wood  or  sunny  dell,  the  myriads  of 
graves  seem  fittingly  to  harmonize  with  thoughts  of  its  departed 
greatness.  Some  description  of  the  old  mansion  has  heretofore 
been  given,  and  as  it  stands  to-day  exactly  as  it  did  in  the  time  of 
Parke  Custis  there  seems  little  need  to  repeat  it. 

The  change  from  the  past  to  the  present  is  shown  in  the  inte- 


88 

rior  of  the  house.  Blank,  cheerless  walls  greet  one  where,  in 
years  gone  by,  hung  objects  of  artistic  value,  while  the  bare  rooms 
can  now  give  but  little  idea  of  the  life  and  cheerfulness  that  once 
reigned  there. 

Over  the  main  entrance  to  the  building  hangs  a  sign,  "  Super- 
intendent's Office,"  and  the  door  on  the  right  that  opens  from  the 
hallway  leads  to  the  apartments  occupied  by  that  official.  The 
upper  floor  of  the  building  and  the  entire  right  wing  are  taken  up 
by  the  superintendent's  appartments,  and  are  not  open  to  the 
public.  The  rooms  on  the  left  are  always  open,  but  they  possess 
very  little  of  interest. 

A  few  shields,  bearing  appropriate  inscriptions ;  pictures  of  two 
or  three  different  sections  of  the  grounds ;  the  great  Decoration 
Day  orations  of  President  Lincoln  and  Robert  G.  IngersoU  set  in 
frames,  and  a  desk,  at  which  visitors  are  requested  to  register  their 
names  in  a  large  book  that  lies  upon  it,  are  all  that  they  contain. 

Directly  in  front  of  the  main  entrance  stands  the  flag-pole,  and 
on  the  hill  beside  it  are  the  graves  of  the  two  illustrious  com- 
manders, Gen.  P.  H.  Sheridan  and  Admiral  Porter.  The  Admiral's 
grave  is  to  the  left  and  is  still  unmarked  by  stone  of  any  kind. 
A  fence  of  chains  surrounds  it  and  indicates  the  space  where,  in 
the  near  future,  a  monument  worthy  of  the  dead  man's  fame  will 
be  erected. 

Over  the  grave  of  Gen.  Sheridan  standi  the  most  beautiful  mon- 
ument at  Arlington.  It  is  a  block  of  highly  polished  granite. 
Upon  its  face  is  a  bronze  flag  and  medallion,  the  latter  containing 
a  head  of  the  dead  general  in  high  relief.  The  bronze  cast  is  the 
work  of  Samuel  Kitson,  of  Boston,  and  has  been  greatly  admired 
as  a  likeness  of  Gen.  Sheridan.  The  grave  itself  is  overgrown 
with  ivy,  and  is  enclosed  by  a  chain  suspended  from  pillars  of 
stone. 

On  the  same  slope  and  but  a  few  yards  distant  from  the  grave 
of  Sheridan  is  the  grave  of  Surg.-Gen.  Jedediah  Hyde  Bax- 
ter, whose  death  occurred  in  December,  1890.  This  grave  is  also 
surmounted  by  a  handsome  monument.  Other  graves  on  this 
hillside  are  those  of  Bvt.  Maj.-Gen.  J.  H.  Mower  and  Gen.  Sam- 
uel David  Sturgis. 

It  is  the  intention  of  the  War  Department  to  reserve  the  slope 
on  which  these  graves  are  located  as  the  burial-place  of  highly- 


89 

distinguished  officers  of  either  the  Army  or  Navy.  As  yet  the 
graves  mentioned  are  the  only  ones  it  contains,  but  the  remains  of 
Gen.  Crook  will  before  long  be  included  in  the  number.  At  pres- 
ent Gen.  Crook  is  buried  in  what  is  known  as  the  officers'  section. 

The  section  set  apart  for  the  burial  of  officers  lies  along  the 
level  ridge  that  extends  back  from  the  mansion,  in  the  direction 
of  Fort  Myer.  It  is  divided  by  a  roadway  into  two  portions,  and 
is  separated  from  the  general  burying-ground  by  the  road  that 
leads  from  the  Fort  Myer  gate,  past  the  rostrum  and  amphithea- 
tre, to  the  Arlington  house.  Here  lie  many  distinguished  officers 
who  served  their  country  bravely,  and  over  their  remains  stand 
handsome  monuments  of  sombre  granite  and  glistening  marble. 
It  is  the  one  spot  in  the  cemetery  where  any  departure  from  the 
simple  style  of  gravestone  provided  by  the  Government  has  been 
permitted,  and  as  a  result  the  spot  is  rapidly  becoming  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  to  be  found  there.  No  attempt  at  uniformity  in 
the  style  of  these  monuments  has  been  attempted,  but  loving 
friends  and  admiring  comrades  have  been  allowed  to  exercise  their 
fancy  in  the  erection  of  these  testimonials  of  regard. 

The  most  ornate  marble  shafts  are  to  be  found  here  bearing  in- 
scriptions that  show  the  services  rendered  by  the  dead  heroes  and 
the  esteem  of  those  who  served  with  them,  while  equally  conspic- 
uous by  their  simplicity  are  the  rough-hewn  blocks  of  granite 
that  mark  many  of  the  graves.  The  latter,  indeed,  predominate, 
and  a  striking  feature  of  this  part  of  the  cemetery  is  the  absence 
of  all  ostentatious  display  about  the  memorials  reared  to  perpet- 
uate the  fame  of  those  who  rest  beneath  them.  The  rough-hewn 
granite  blocks,  the  undressed  shafts  bearing  upon  their  faces  but 
the  name  and  rank  of  the  dead  soldier,  are  suggestive  in  their 
simplicity  of  the  rugged,  forceful  character  of  the  men  who  planned 
campaigns  and  led  their  troops  to  battle.  They  are  as  if  death 
had  stripped  commanders  of  all  the  gaudy  trappings  of  war  and 
now  hold  up,  for  veneration  and  respect,  the  simple  man  beneath. 
Here  lie  the  venerable  Harney,  the  courageous  Paul,  the  dashing 
Ricketts,  the  indefatigable  Crook,  the  resourceful  Meigs,  the  gal- 
lant Belknap,  and  many  others,  whose  records  both  in  peace  and 
war  entitle  them  to  the  grateful  remembrance  of  their  countrymen. 

An  object  of  general  interest  to  visitors  is  the  sarcophagus  of 
dressed  marble  which  contains  the  bodies  of  Gen.  M.  C.  Meigs, 


90 

Quartermaster-General  of  the  army  during  the  entire  civil  war, 
and  of  his  wife,  Louisa  Eogers  Meigs.  About  this  are  the  graves 
of  other  members  of  the  Meigs  family.  At  one  side  of  the  sar- 
cophagus is  the  grave  of  Lieut.  John  Eogers  Meigs,  tlie  eldest 
son  of  Gen,  Meigs,  who  was  killed  in  battle  in  1864.  The  young 
man  was  chief  of  engineers  in  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  A 
rectangular  block  of  black  marble,  on  which  rests  a  bronze  figure 
of  the  young  soldier  as  he  was  found  on  the  battle-field,  marks 
the  grave.  On  the  other  side  of  the  sarcophagus,  marked  by  a 
simple  shaft  of  stone,  is  the  grave  of  Gen.  Meigs'  father,  Josiah 
Meigs,  who  was  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office  in  the 
early  years  of  the  century.  Two  children  of  Gen.  Meigs,  Charles 
D.  and  Vincent  Trowbridge  Meigs,  are  also  buried  near.  Not 
far  from  this  group  of  graves  is  a  marble  slab  over  the  last  rest- 
ing-place of  Col.  John  McComb,  an  able  officer,  and  for  years 
before  the  war  one  of  that  distinguished  group  of  friends  that 
included  Lee,  Johnston,  Meigs,  and  others. 

An  undressed  granite  shaft  half  enveloped  in  clinging  ivy  rears 
its  lofty  height  over  the  grave  of  Brig.-Gen.  William  B.  Hazen, 
for  years  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  United  States,  whose 
death  occurred  in  1887,  Brig.-Gen.  Gabriel  R.  Paul,  who  lost 
both  his  eyes  in  the  furious  charge  of  the  Union  forces  at  Gettys- 
burg, is  buried  near  by,  with  a  granite  column  to  mark  his  grave. 
Near  that  of  Gen.  Paul  is  the  grave  of  Brig.-Gen,  Plummer,  whose 
death  in  1864  occurred  in  camp,  near  Corinth,  Mississippi,  and 
was  caused  by  wounds  received  in  battle.  Bvt.  Maj.-Gen.  John 
H.  Kirk  is  also  buried  near  by,  and  over  his  grave  stands  a  beau- 
tiful granite  block,  with  polished  sides  tastefully  ornamented. 

A  plain  dressed  granite  shaft  simple  in  outline  and  unpreten- 
tious in  appearance  rises  above  the  grave  of  Gen.  Ricketts  and 
bears  upon  its  polished  faces  the  brief  record  of  his  long  and  faith- 
ful services.  Gen.  James  Brewerton  Ricketts  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  September  22, 1887,  was  a  major-general  in  the  U,  S.  Army. 
On  graduating  at  West  Point  he  was  assigned  to  artillery  service 
on  the  Canadian  frontier.  He  served  through  the  war  with  Mex- 
ico ;  was  on  frontier  duty  for  several  years  in  Texas  ;  was  engaged 
in  27  battles  of  the  rebellion ;  was  wounded  five  times,  and  lan- 
guished as  a  prisoner  of  war  in  the  rebel  prison  at  Richmond.  He 
died  from  wounds  received  while  commanding  the  Sixth  corps  in  the 


91 

Shenandoah  valley.  No  more  daring  or  chivalrous  soldier  lies  be- 
neath the  Arlington  sod  than  Eicketts,  and  the  members  of  his  old 
command  lovingly  deck  his  tomb  with  flowers  on  each  recurring 
Memorial  Day. 

But  a  few  steps  away  a  dressed  granite  cube,  simple  to  the 
point  of  bareness,  is  erected  in  memory  of  Gen.  Myers,  a  lieuten- 
ant-colonel and  brevet  brigadier-general  in  the  U.  S.  Army,  whose 
record  needs  no  wordy  monument  or  showy  shaft.  Another  plain 
granite  cube  near  by  bears  the  name  of  Thomas  G.  Baylor,  who 
bore  a  distinguished  part  in  the  civil  war  as  chief  ordnance  officer 
of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  the  military  division  of  the 
Mississippi,  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Sherman.  The  grave  of  Brig.- 
Gen.  Jones,  for  a  number  of  years  inspector-general  in  the 
U.  S.  Army,  is  marked  by  a  simple,  tasteful  monument,  and  is 
located  towards  the  western  end  of  the  officers'  section.  The 
stone  placed  above  the  grave  of  Capt.  Adolphus  H.  C.  Yon  Dach- 
enhausen  is  of  pure  white  marble  and  bears  carved  upon  it  the 
cavalry  sabre  that  marks  the  branch  of  service  to  which  Capt. 
Von  Dachenhausen  belonged.  He  was  a  member  of  the  German 
nobility  and  was  born  in  the  kingdom  of  Hanover  in  1815.  A 
rough-hewn  granite  cross  near  by  bears  simply  the  name  of  Lieut. 
J.  D.  Mann,  and  the  two  dates  1855-1891,  the  sole  record  of  a 
brave  young  officer.  Capt.  Charles  Parker,  of  the  9th  IT.  S.  cav- 
alry, is  buried  not  far  from  here,  his  grave  being  marked  by  a 
small  upright  slab  of  white  marble. 

At  the  upper  end  of  this  section,  near  the  rostrum,  a  rough 
granite  block  surmounts  the  grave  of  Surg.-Gen.  Charles  H. 
Crane,  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  who  died  in  1883.  Near  here  is  also 
the  tomb  in  which  are  interred  the  remains  of  Cornelia  Wyntje 
Smith,  wife  of  Gen.  Absalom  Baird,  Inspector-General  of  the  U. 
S.  Army.  There  are  several  living  officers  of  the  U.  S.  Army  who 
have  erected  ante-mortem  monuments  at  Arlington.  The  most 
striking  of  these  is  the  polished  granite  block  marking  the  lot  in 
which  is  buried  the  wife  of  Capt.  J.  D.  Young,  and  bearing  the 
name  of  the  living  officer,  with  the  date  of  his  birth,  and  a  space  to 
be  filled  in  when  he  shall  have  been  awarded  his  last  promotion. 

One  of  the  strikingly  beautiful  monuments  among  the  many  in 
the  officers'  section  is  that  erected  to  the  memory  of  Stephen  C. 
Lyford,  major  of   ordnance.     It   is   a  massive   block   of   rough- 


92 

dressed  granite,  polished  in  sections  and  tastefully  inscribed. 
Another  is  that  of  Maj.  K.  L.  Shelly.  It  is  similar  in  design  to 
that  of  Maj.  Lyford,  but  on  the  face  is  a  bronze  wreath  of  oak 
leaves,  from  which  is  suspended  the  badge  of  the  corps  with 
which  he  served.  This  is  arranged  with  such  artistic  skill  that 
the  bronze  blends  with  the  rough  stone  on  which  it  rests  with 
perfect  harmony. 

Many  other  distinguished  officers  lie  in  this  section,  some  of 
whose  graves  are  ornamented  with  handsome  stones.  Others 
have  but  the  regulation  headstone  provided  by  the  Government 
to  mark  their  resting-place,  while  quite  a  number  have  but  a 
small  piece  of  pine  board  to  indicate  where,  in  the  future,  monu- 
ments will  be  erected. 

Gen.  Harney's  grave  is  still  unmarked  by  anything  but  a  simple 
slab,  and  in  many  other  instances  friends  and  relatives  of  the  de- 
ceased have  deferred  the  placing  of  monuments  over  their  graves 
until  they  can  secure  such  memorials  as  they  think  worthy  of 
their  heroes.  Among  the  large  list  of  officers  whose  remains 
occupy  these  grounds  are  Capt.  W.  P.  Mathews,  a  brevet  colonel  of 
volunteers ;  Capt.  Charles  Stuart  Heintzelman,  Lieut.-Col.  Theo- 
dor  Sterling  West,  of  the  24th  Wisconsin  Volunteers ;  Lieut.  E. 
B.  Walkins,  Col.  Edgar  O'Conner  of  the  2d  Wisconsin  Infantry ; 
Commander  E.  E.  Stone,  of  the  Navy;  Maj.  Samuel  Perry  Lee, 
of  the  Maine  Volunteers ;  Lieut.  Thomas  Goode  Morrow,  who 
was  promoted  from  the  ranks  to  a  lieutenancy  in  the  11th  Ohio 
Cavalry;  Maj.  H.  J.  Farnsworth,  and  many  others. 

The  second  section  of  the  grounds  set  apart  for  the  interment 
of  officers  is  separated  from  the  northern  part  by  a  narrow  road- 
way. In  this  section  are  found  the  names  of  some  of  the  most 
distinguished  officers  of  the  United  States  Army  who  have  recently 
died.  Located  at  the  upper  end  are  the  graves  of  Maj.- 
<jren.  George  Crook,  Bvt.  Maj. -Gen.  W.  W.  Belknap,  and  Bvt. 
Brig.-Gen.  W.  W.  Burns.  None  of  these  are  marked  by  stones 
of  any  kind,  but  over  the  graves  of  Gens.  Belknap  and  Burns 
monuments  are  to  be  erected,  while  the  remains  of  Gen.  Crook 
are  soon  to  be  removed  to  the  slope  in  front  of  the  mansion  and 
buried  near  the  grave  of  Sheridan.  When  this  is  done  a  hand- 
some stone  will  be  placed  over  them.  The  most  beautiful  and 
artistic  monument  in  this  section  is  one  of  polished  red  marble. 


93 

pyramidal  in  form,  erected  to  the  memory  of  Real  Admiral  Charles 
S.  Stedman,  who  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  September  24, 1811, 
and  died  November  13,  1890.  The  stone  is  tastefully  lettered  and 
bears  upon  one  face  an  artistically-executed  bit  of  carving,  sym- 
bolic in  character — a  veiled  sword.  On  the  side  faces  are  the 
words,  full  of  significance  in  their  brevity,  "  Fort  Fisher,  St. 
John's  Bluff,  Vera  Cruz,  Port  Royal,"  the  battles  in  which  the 
hale  old  seaman  participated.  Other  officers  buried  around  him 
are  N.  B.  Clark,  chief  engineer  United  States  Navy ;  M.  La  Rue 
Harrison,  colonel  First  Arkansas  Cavalry,  and  Col.  P.  H.  AUa- 
bach,  of  the  13th  Pennsylvania  Infantry. 

Several  old,  time-scarred  shafts  and  slabs  of  sandstone  and 
marble,  bearing  quaint  old  epitaphs  in  antique  lettering,  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  northern  section  devoted  to  officers,  are  among 
the  most  interesting  monuments  in  the  cemetery.  They  will  at- 
tract the  attention  and  probably  arouse  the  curiosity  of  the  visi- 
tor, as  they  bear  the  names  of  families  prominent  in  the  early 
colonial  and  revolutionary  periods  of  American  history.  The 
dates  of  interment,  moreover,  are  so  old  as  to  cause  inquiry,  as 
they  all  antedate  the  establishment  of  the  national  cemetery'  by 
many  years.  These  ancient  stones  cover  the  remains  of  officers 
of  the  Revolutionary  army,  and  public  officials  of  the  early  years 
of  this  century.  The  bodies  and  tombstones  Avere  removed  to 
Arlington  from  the  old  Presbyterian  burying-ground  on  the 
demolition  of  that  cemetery,  about  a  year  ago.  All  bodies  were 
ordered  ren^oved  from  the  consecrated  precincts  of  the  centur}^- 
old  churchyard,  and  the  National  Government  prevented  the  dese- 
cration of  these  old  tombs  by  removing  them  to  Arlington.  They 
are  eleven  in  number,  four  being  marked  by  upright  shafts  and 
seven  by  oblong  slabs  laid  flat  upon  the  ground,  in  the  fashion  of 
the  long  ago. 

A  red  sandstone  shaft  stands  over  the  remains  of  John  A.  Davis, 
lieutenant  in  the  navy,  who  died  in  1854.  Next  to  this  are  a  num- 
ber of  slabs  covering  the  graves  of  Caleb  Swan,  Paymaster-Gen- 
eral of  the  United  States  Army,  who  died  in  1809  ;  William  Wood 
Burrows,  lieutenant-colonel  and  commandant  of  the  United  States 
Marine  Corps,  whose  death  occurred  in  1805 ;  Margaret  Cassin, 
the  wife  of  Commodore  Stephen  Cassin,  who  di«d  in  1830  ;  Har- 
riet B.  McComb,  widow  of  Commander-in-Chief  McGomb,  of  the 


94 

United  States  Army  ;  James  A.  Wilson,  a  purser  in  the  navy,  who 
died  in  1819  ;  Gen.  Thomas  Mason,  of  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania, 
who  died  in  1813,  and  Edward  Jones,  who  was  chief  clerk  of  the 
Treasury  Department  under  Washington's  administration. 
A  small  marble  shaft  bears  the  inscription  : 

General  James  House,  U.  S.  A. 

He  died  in  1834.  A  small  gray  stone  next  to  this  was  erected 
to  the  memory  of  Virginia,  wife  of  George  Mason,  of  Hallin  Hall, 
Va.  She  was  also  a  daughter  of  Gen.  John  Mason,  and  died  in 
1838.  The  last  of  these  tombstones  is  one  erected  to  Alexander 
McComb  and  his  wife,  Jane  Marshall,  the  former  of  whom  died 
in  1830,  and  the  latter  in  1849. 

The  general  burying-ground,  where  thousands  of  dead  Union 
soldiers  lie,  spreads  over  a  level  plateau  that  extends  from  the 
western  wall  of  the  cemetery  to  the  mansion,  and  southward  from 
the  road  to  Fort  Myer  several  hundred  yards.  Here  there  is  a 
perfect  grove  of  forest  and  ornamental  trees,  beneath  the  branches 
of  which  extend  the  long  rows  of  glittering  white  headstones  as 
far  as  the  eye  can  reach.  The  headstones  are  all  alike — simple 
marble  slabs,  rising  about  two  feet  from  the  ground  and  bearing 
the  names  and  regiments  of  those  whose  graves  they  mark.  The 
alignment  of  the  stones  is  so  perfect  that  they  suggest  the  idea  of 
regiments  drawn  up  for  inspection. 

As  shown  in  the  map  that  accompanies  this  work,  the  cemetery 
is  divided  into  sections.  Sections  A  and  B  are  located  in  the  ex- 
treme northwestern  corner  of  the  grounds,  near  the  Ord  and  Weitzel 
gate,  and,  as  already  described,  are  separated  from  the  main  por- 
tion of  the  institution  by  a  piece  of  heavy  woodland.  Sections 
C,  D,  E,  and  F  occupy  the  plateau,  the  first  commencing  at  the 
western  wall,  and  the  last  one  terminating  on  a  line  with  the  man- 
sion. These  sections  extend  north  and  south.  At  the  southern 
extremity  of  section  C  is  located  a  space  occupied  entirely  by 
graves  of  Confederate  dead,  and  beside  it  is  what  is  known  as 
the  post  cemetery,  where  the  bodies  of  those  who  die  at  Fort 
M5'er  are  interred.  Near  the  post  cemetery,  and  at  the  southern  end 
of  section  D,  is  the  "  Sylvan  Grove,"  a  beautiful  grove  of  maples, 
planted  in  rows  and  standing  so  close  together  that  their  branches, 
intermingling,  form  an  unbroken  canopy  of  foliage  overhead.    Be- 


95 

yond  these  sections  and  the  groves  of  trees  in  which  they  stand 
is  an  open  level  containing  about  a  hundred  acres  of  ground.  At 
the  end  of  this  open  space  is  the  reconstructed  earthwork,  Fort 
McPherson,  one  of  the  most  interesting  points  at  Arlington. 

At  the  lower  end  of  section  F  are  located  the  graves  of  G.  W. 
P.  Custis  and  his  wife.  Thej  are  marked  by  two  simple  stone 
shafts,  erected  by  their  daughter,  Mrs.  R.  E.  Lee.  These  monu- 
ments form  the  only  divergence  from  the  monotonous  style  of 
gravestones  that  mark  the  graves  of  the  dead  soldiers  to  be  found 
in  the  section.  On  the  monument  erected  to  Mr.  Custis  is  the  in- 
scription : 

Geoege  Washington  Paeke  Custis. 

Born  April  30,  1781. 

Died  October  10,  1857. 

"Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy." 

On  the  monument  dedicated  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Custis  are 
these  words : 

Maby  L.  Cdstis. 
Born,  April  22,  1788. 
Died,  April  13,  1853. 

There  is  another  interesting  memorial  of  the  Custis  family  on 
the  hillside  north  of  the  mansion.  It  is  an  old  tomb  that  con- 
tains the  remains  of  Mrs.  Mary  Randolph,  a  relative  of  Mrs.  Cus- 
tis.    On  it  is  the  following  inscription : 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Mary  Randolph. 
Her  intrinsic  worth  needs  no  euloginm. 
The  deceased  was  born  the  9th  of  August,  1762,  at  Ampthill,  near  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, and  died  the  23d  of  January,  1828,  in  Washington  city, 
a  victim  to  maternal  love  and  duty. 
As  a  tribute  of  filial  gratitude  this  momument  is  dedicated  to  her  exalted  virtues 

by  her  youngest  son. 
Requiescat  in  pace. 

This  description  is  intended  to  convey  to  the  mind  of  the  reader 
some  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  national  cemetery  and  the  location 
of  the  different  sections  into  which  it  is  divided.  But,  as  already 
stated,  interest  in  the  historic  old  place  centers  about  the  mansion 
itself  and  the  grounds  immediately  adjoining.  Here  assemble, 
annually,  the  veterans  of  the  late  war  to  deck  with  loving  hands 
the  graves  of  dead  comrades.     Here,  also,  words  of  fervent  elo- 


96 

quence  are  tittered  in  commemoration  of  the  valor  of  those  who 
fell  in  battle,  and  here  the  visitor  finds  most  to  attract  attention. 

The  mansion  is  surrounded  by  a  broad  driveway,  smoothly 
paved,  and  from  this  well-kept  walks  lead  in  and  out  among  beds 
of  flowers.  Directly  south  of  the  house  is  a  large  garden,  in  which 
the  flower  beds  are  arranged  to  represent  badges  of  the  different 
army  corps.  The  names  of  Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan,  Garfield, 
and  others  also  appear  in  floral  letters. 

In  the  centre  of  this  plot  stands  what  is  known  as  the  Temple 
of  Fame.  It  is  a  circular  structure  and  is  composed  of  eight  col- 
umns, surmounted  by  a  dome,  which  rests  on  an  octagonal  cornice 
of  stone-work.  Set  in  this  cornice  are  the  names  Washington, 
Lincoln,  Grant,  and  Farragut.  There  is  also  an  illustrious  name 
on  each  of  the  pillars,  as  follows :  McPherson,  Sedgwick,  Rey- 
nolds, Humphreys,  Garfield,  Mansfield,  Thomas,  and  Meade. 

Immediately  west  of  the  Temple  of  Fame  is  the  sarcophagus, 
which  contains  the  remains  of  2,111  unknown  dead.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  touching  sights  at  the  national  cemetery.  The  ob- 
long pile  of  granite,  simple  almost  to  rudeness  in  its  design,  has 
within  it  remains  of  those  whose  death  is  still  a  mystery  to  their 
friends  and  loving  relatives.  The  bodies  were  picked  up  here 
and  there  upon  the  corpse-strewn  battle-fields,  and,  unknown  by 
any,  were  numbered  among  that  large  class  that  has  never  been 
identified.  All  that  tells  the  story  of  their  deaths  is  a  simple 
inscription  upon  the  stone  telling  why  it  was  erected.  Their  val- 
orous deeds ;  their  sufferings  ere  death  had  come  to  give  them 
their  release ;  even  the  honor  which  accrues  to  those  who  do 
their  duty  well,  is  in  this  case  all  comprehended  in  the  sterile 
term,  unknown. 

Just  beyond  the  sarcophagus  is  the  rostrum  and  the  amphi- 
theatre, where  the  Decoration  Day  exercises  are  held.  The  ros- 
trum is  a  raised  platform  of  stone,  classical  and  picturesque  in 
design.  It  resembles  in  appearance  the  remains  of  some  old 
Grecian  temple.  An  ornamental  block  of  polished  marble  serves 
as  a  reading-desk,  while  twelve  stone  columns  support  a  level 
roof  of  lattice-work,  which  is  thickly  covered  with  creeping  vines. 
The  amphitheatre  is  formed  by  a  circular  embankment  of  earth, 
which  encloses  a  space  large  enough  to  contain  about  1,500 
people.     The  earthen   embankment  is   sheltered  by  trellis-work 


97 

which  supports  luxuriant  grape  and  other  vines.  The  amphi- 
theatre and  rostrum  are  used  on  Decoration  Days,  in  the  Grand 
Army  services,  and  at  these  services  at  Arlington  have  been 
uttered  some  of  the  most  eloquent  Decoration  Day  addresses. 

So  intimately  connected  with  the  national  cemetery  at  Arling- 
ton is  the  observance  of  Memorial  Day  that  a  few  pages  devoted 
to  a  description  of  its  origin  and  beautiful  customs,  with  an  ac- 
count of  some  of  the  most  noted  Decoration  Day  orations,  must 
form  a  concomitant  part  of  a  complete  history  of  Arlington. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

DECORATION  DAY  AND  ITS  CUSTOMS — SOME  NOTED  ORATIONS — LINCOLN'S 
GETTYSBURG  ADDRESS — INGERSOLL's  PROSE-POEM  OVER  THE 
SOLDIER    DEAD. 

Decoration  Day,  with  its  customs,  was  the  natural  outcome  of 
a  nation's  sorrow  and  gratitude.  Nowhere  is  the  origin  of  the  cus- 
tom of  strewing  graves  with  flowers  more  beautifully  described 
than  in  the  eloquent  and  impressive  address  of  Chauncey  M.  De- 
pew,  delivered  on  the  30th  of  May,  1879,  when  he  said  : 

When  the  war  was  over,  in  the  South,  where  under  warmer  skies  and  with  more 
poetic  temperaments  symbols  and  emblems  are  better  understood  than  in  the 
practical  North,  the  widows,  mothers,  and  children  of  the  Confederate  dead  went 
out  and  strewed  their  graves  with  flowers  ;  at  many  places  the  women  scattered 
them  impartially  also  over  the  unknown  and  unmarked  resting-places  of  the 
Union  soldiers.  As  the  news  of  this  touching  tribute  flashed  over  the  North  it 
roused,  as  nothing  else  could  have  done,  national  amity  and  love,  and  allayed  sec- 
tional animosity  and  passion.  It  thrilled  every  household  where  there  was  a  vacant 
chair  by  the  fireside  and  an  aching  void  in  the  heart  for  a  lost  hero  whose  remains 
had  never  been  found  ;  old  wounds  broke  out  afresh,  and  in  a  mingled  tempest  of 
grief  and  joy  the  family  cried,  "  Maybe  it  was  our  darling  !  "  Thus  out  of  sorrows 
common  alike  to  North  and  South  came  this  beautiful  custom.  But  Decoration 
Day  no  longer  belongs  to  those  who  mourn.  It  is  the  common  privilege  of  us  all, 
and  will  be  celebrated  as  long  as  gratitude  exists  and  flowers  bloom. 

John  S.  Wise,  in  a  speech  some  years  ago,  declared  that  the 
tenderest  and  most  touching  legacy  of  the  war  was  that  sentiment 
of  common  pity  and  humanity  to  which  the  women  gave  expres- 
sion in  a  Southern  cemetery  when  they  decked  the  graves  of  Con- 
federate and  of  Federal  soldiers  with  impartial  hand. 

The  idea  was  at  first  rather  slow  at  taking  root,  but  the  Grand 
Army  posts  throughout  the  Union  adopted  the  custom  as  a  pecu- 
liar and  legitimate  function  of  the  organization,  and  by  common 
consent  fixed  upon  the  30th  of  May  as  a  day  upon  which  they 
should  pay  tribute  to  their  lost  comrades  with  the  fresh,  pure 
blossoms  of  the  vernal  month. 

The  custom  of  honoring  the  memory  of  fallen  heroes  by  the 
proper  observance  of  Memorial  Day  has  since  its  inaugura- 
tion added  to  the  literary  treasures  of  America  a  number  of  burn- 


99 

ing,  eloquent  orations  that  will  always  stand  forth  as  specimens 
of  the  best  efforts  of  our  country's  greatest  orators.  Foremost 
among  these  must  undoubtedly  be  placed  the  address  of  Col. 
Eobert  G.  IngersoU  delivered  on  Decoration  Day  at  Indianapolis, 
before  the  "  Boys  in  Blue,"  an  organization  which  has  since  been 
merged  into  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Kepublic. 

It  followed  soon  after  the  splendid  and  instantaneous  fame 
which  he  gained  as  an  orator  by  the  speech  in  placing  Mr.  Blaine 
in  nomination  and  added  greatly  to  that  oratorical  repute.  Col. 
IngersoU  said  some  years  later  that  it  was  not  true,  as  had  been 
reported,  that  the  address  was  impromptu.  The  writing  of  it  had 
required  only  a  few  moments,  but  the  composition  of  it  had  been 
a  matter  of  years.  After  his  service  in  the  army  Col.  IngersoU 
used  to  recall,  with  poetic  enthusiasm,  scenes  which,  when  they 
occurred,  had  seemingly  not  made  much  impression  on  his  mind. 
He  remembered  his  comrades  who  had  fallen,  and  recalled  some 
pathetic  incident  of  army  life.  The  magnificent  patriotism  of 
the  time  was  revealed  to  him,  after  the  battles  had  been  fought 
and  the  Union  established,  in  the  light  of  the  poetic  fancy  that 
characterizes  IngersoU's  best  orations,  and  there  came  to  his  mind 
now  and  then  epigrams,  kernels  of  thought  expressed  in  the 
imagery  of  the  poet,  and  he  retained  them  in  his  memory.  Thus 
little  by  little  he  composed  that  speech.  It  was  the  work  of  years, 
and  when  he  was  invited  to  deliver  the  address  he  found  that  the 
address  was  ready  to  be  delivered  and  only  awaited  the  occa- 
sion. 

The  quotation  already  given,  descriptive  of  the  origin  of  Me- 
morial Day,  is  from  the  notable  Decoration  Day  address  of 
Chauncey  M.  Depew,  delivered  at  the  Metropolitan  Opera  House 
in  1879.  Depew  had  a  magnificent  audience.  He  had  accepted 
the  invitation  rather  reluctantly,  but  as  he  began  preparing  his 
address  he  became  fascinated  Avith  his  subject.  Many  of  those 
who  have  heard  Depew  are  of  the  opinion  that  it  \^as  the  finest 
oration  ever  delivered  by  hini.  It  differed  entirely  from  the  ad- 
dress of  IngersoU,  which  was  really  a  prose  poem.  Depew's 
address  was  the  speech  of  a  statesman  inspired  to  lofty  and  solemn 
sentiments  through  the  contemplation  of  the  heroes  whose  achieve- 
ments he  was  to  celebrate.  Col.  IngersoU,  who  heard  the  address, 
pronounced  it  one  of  the  finest  specimens  of  eulogy  every  deliv- 
ered by  an  American. 


100 

Perhaps  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  of  Decoration  Day  ad- 
dresses was  delivered  by  Gen.  Garfield  at  Arlington.  Many  of 
those  who  heard  it  were  familiar  with  Garfield's  oratory.  He  was 
singularly  felicitous  when  speaking  on  a  subject  involving  the 
higher  order  of  sentiment,  and  in  the  Arlington  address  he  reached 
probably  his  finest  oratorical  achievement,  at  least  on  a  subject 
not  political. 

After  all,  bearing  in  mind  the  great  orations  that  have  been  de- 
livered on  Decoration  Day  or  on  the  occasions  of  the  dedications 
of  Federal  cemeteries,  no  effort  can  be  compared  with  the  brief 
address  delivered  by  President  Lincoln  on  the  19th  of  November, 
1863,  at  the  dedication  of  the  national  cemetery  at  Gettysburg. 
Decoration  Day  was  unknown  then.  The  war  was  not  over. 
Grant  had  not  been  long  the  commanding  General.  It  was  in- 
tended to  make  the  Gettysburg  ceremonial  a  conspicuous  event,  to 
fix  the  eyes  of  the  North  upon  it,  and,  if  possible,  inspire  those 
who  were  fighting  for  the  Union  with  new  hopes  and  firmer  pur- 
poses. For  that  reason  President  Lincoln  consented  to  go  to  Get- 
tysburg, and,  as  he  said,  say  something  appropriate  to  the  occasion. 
The  orator  of  the  day  was  Edward  Everett,  one  of  the  greatest  of 
American  orators.  Mr.  Everett  prepared  his  oration  with  greater 
care  than  he  had  been  accustomed  to  bestow  on  his  previous  ad- 
dresses. No  orator  ever  took  more  pains  with  the  composition  of 
his  speeches  or  more  patiently  drilled  himself  with  respect  to  the 
elocution  and  oratorical  graces  that  should  embellish  delivery. 
Mr.  Everett  believed  that  the  Gettysburg  address  was  to  be  the 
oration  of  his  life,  and  the  one,  perhaps,  by  which  he  would  be 
best  known  to  posterity. 

President  Lincoln,  on  the  contrary,  spent  no  time  on  the  com- 
position of  his  address,  and  it  may  almost  be  called  an  impromptu. 

The  story  of  its  preparation  has  been  told  by  Mr.  Edward  Mc- 
Pherson,  who,  as  a  member  of  Congress,  representing  the  Gettys- 
burg district,  escorted  President  Lincoln  from  Washington  to 
Gettysburg.  The  President  seemed  to  be  in  one  of  his  moods  of 
sorrow  when  they  entered  the  cars,  and  McPherson,  who  was  fa- 
miliar with  Mr.  Lincoln's  varying  expressions  of  countenance, 
thought  that  the  President  was  burdened  that  day  with  a  sense  of 
mighty  responsibilities,  and  was  saddened  by  the  reflection  that 
the  struggle  to  maintain  the  Union  had  cost  hundreds  of  thousands 


101 

of  lives.  After  leaving  Baltimore  Mr.  Lincoln  seemed  to  brighten 
up,  and  he  took  from  his  pocket  two  or  three  sheets  of  commer- 
cial note-paper,  on  which  had  been  written  with  lead  pencil*  what 
seemed  to  be  some  fragmentary  comments.  Mr.  Lincoln  took  out 
his  glasses,  read  the  memoranda,  and  made  one  or  two  trifling 
corrections.  -  He  said  that  he  had  jotted  down  a  few  things  which 
had  occurred  to  him  to  say,  because  it  was  expected,  he  be- 
lieved, that  he  would  say  something.  He  was  inclined  to  think 
that  Mr.  Everett's  oration  would ,  be  in  every  way  worthy  of  the 
event,  and  he  spoke  in  praise  of  Everett  as  a  patriot  and  an  ora- 
tor. When  the  time  came  for  Mr.  Lincoln  to  deliver  his  address 
he  rose,  put  on  his  spectacles,  took  the  few  sheets  of  note-paper 
from  his  pocket,  and  read  the  address  in  that  manner  of  his  which 
at  first  sight  seemed  almost  ungainly  and  became  impressive  as  he 
proceeded  with  his  speech.  Comparatively  few  of  the  great  throng 
present  were  able  to  hear  it.  Most  of  those  who  did  were  not 
especially  impressed  by  the  speech ;  but  a  few  men  realized  that 
they  had  listened  to  an  address  which  was  sure  to  become  a 
classic,  and,  perhaps,  would  be  regarded  as  the  most  perfect  ex- 
ample of  English  prose  address  ever  produced  by  an  American. 

Mr.  Everett's  oration  was  stately,  dignified,  elegant,  but  formal. 
He  had  written  it  on  the  models  of  the  best  English  and  Ameri- 
can orations,  and  had  pronounced  it  according  to  the  rules  of  elo- 
cution. It  sounded  weU  ;  it  was  impressive  when  heard,  but  it 
has  been  forgotten  practically.  Nearly  a  month  passed  before  the 
country  realized  what  a  gem  of  oratory  Mr.  Lincoln's  address  was. 
It  was  so  short  that  less  than  ten  minutes  were  required  for  the 
reading  of  it,  and,  being  short,  was  published  in  almost  every 
newspaper  in  the  country.  Men  recognized  its  extraordinary 
merits.  James  Russell  Lowell  pronounced  it  in  sublimity  of 
thought,  appropriateness  of  ideas,  solemnity  of  sentiment,  and 
purity  of  English  the  finest  specimen  of  oratory,  English  or  Amer- 
ican, and  that  view  was  reiterated  by  the  English  critics.  It  fur- 
nished the  ideas  for  thousands  of  Decoration  Day  addresses 
which  have  since  been  delivered^  and  it  has  been  utilized  by  the 
professors  of  rhetoric  in  schools  and  colleges.  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
astonished  when  he  learned  the  opinion  of  the  ablest  men  regard- 
ing the  oration,  and  he  could  only  explain  the  exalted  view  taken 
of  it  by  saying  he  had  spoken  as  he  felt. 


102 


The  oration  is  as  follows : 


Four  score  and  seven  years  ago  our  fathers  brought  forth  on  this  continent  a 
new  nation,  conceived  in  liberty  and  dedicated  to  the  proposition  that  all  men 
are  created  equal.  Now  we  are  engaged  in  a  great  civil  war,  testing  whether  that 
nation,  or  any  nation  so  conceived  and  so  dedicated,  can  long  endure.  We  are 
met  on  a  great  battle-field  of  that  war.  We  have  come  to  dedicate  a  portion  of 
that  field  as  a  final  resting-place  for  those  who  here  gave  their  lives  that  the  nation 
might  live.  It  is  altogether  fitting  and  jiroper  that  we  should  do  this.  But,  in  a 
larger  sense,  we  cannot  dedicate — we  cannot  consecrate — we  cannot  hallow — this 
ground.  The  brave  men,  living  and  dead,  who  struggled  here  have  consecrated 
it  far  above  our  poor  power  to  add  or  detract. 

The  world  will  little  note,  nor  long  remember,  what  we  say  here,  but  it  can 
never  forget  what  they  did  here.  It  is  for  us,  the  living,  rather,  to  be  dedi- 
cated here  to  the  unfinished  work  which  they  who  fought  here  have  thus  far  so 
nobly  advanced.  It  is,  rather,  for  us  to  be  here  dedicated  to  the  great  task  re- 
maining before  us — that  from  these  honored  dead  we  take  increased  devotion  to 
that  cause  to  which  they  gave  the  last  full  measure  of  devotion — that  we  here 
highly  resolve  that  these  dead  shall  not  have  died  in  vain — that  this  nation,  under 
God,  shall  have  a  new  birth  of  freedom — and  that  government  of  the  people,  by 
the  people,  for  the  people,  shall  not  perish  from  the  earth. 

The  following  extract  is  from  the  address  of  Col.  IngersoU 
heretofore  referred  to : 

The  past  rises  before  me  like  a  dream.  Again  we  are  in  the  great  struggle  for 
national  life.  We  hear  the  sound  of  preparation — the  music  of  the  boisterous 
drums — the  silver  voices  of  heroic  bugles.  We  see  thousands  of  assemblages  and 
hear  the  appeals  of  orators  ;  we  see  the  pale  cheeks  of  women  and  the  flushed 
faces  of  men  ;  and  in  those  assemblages  we  see  all  the  dead  whose  dust  we  have 
covered  with  flowers.  We  lose  sight  of  them  no  more.  We  are  with  them  when 
they  enlist  in  the  great  army  of  freedom.  We  see  them  part  with  those  they  love. 
Some  are  walking  for  the  last  time  in  quiet  woody  places  with  the  maidens  they 
adore.  We  hear  the  whisperings  and  the  sweet  vows  of  eternal  love  as  they  linger- 
ingly  part  forever.  Othei-s  are  bending  over  cradles  kissing  babes  that  are  asleep. 
Some  are  receiving  the  blessings  of  old  men.  Some  are  parting  with  mothers  who 
hold  them  and  press  them  to  their  hearts  again  and  again,  and  say  nothing ;  and 
some  are  talking  with  wives,  and  endeavoring  with  brave  words  spoken  in  the  old 
tones  to  drive  away  the  awful  fear.  We  see  them  part.  We  see  the  wife  stand- 
ing in  the  door  with  the  babe  in  her  arms— standing  in  the  sunlight — at  the  turn 
of  the  road  a  hand  waves — she  answers  by  holding  high  in  her  loving  hands  the 
child.     He  is  gone,  and  forever. 

We  see  them  all  as  they  march  proudly  away  under  the  flaunting  flags,  keep- 
ing time  to  the  wild  grand  music  of  war — marching  down  the  streets  of  the  great 
cities — through  the  towns  and  across  the  prairies — down  to  the  fields  of  glory  to 
do  and  to  die  for  eternal  right. 

We  go  with  them  one  and  all.  We  are  by  their  side  on  all  the  gory  fields,  in 
all  the  hospitals  of  pain,  on  all  the  weary  marches. 

We  stand  guard  with  them  in  the  wild  storm  and  under  the  quiet  stars.  We 
are  with  them  in  ravines  running  with  blood — in  the  furrows  of  old  fields.  We  are 
with  them  between  contending  hosts,  unable  to  move,  wild  with  thirst,  the  life- 


103 

blood  ebbing  slowly  away  among  the  withered  leaves.  We  see  them  pierced  by 
balls  and  torn  with  shells  in  the  trenches  of  forts,  and  in  the  whirlwind  of  the 
charge,  where  men  became  iron  with  nerves  of  steel. 

We  are  with  them  in  the  prisons  of  hatred  and  famine,  but  human  speech  caa 
never  tell  what  they  endured. 

We  are  at  home  when  the  news  comes  that  they  are  dead.  We  see  the  maiden 
in  the  shadow  of  her  sorrow.  We  see  the  silvered  head  of  the  old  man  bowed  with 
the  lost  grief. 

The  past  rises  before  us,  and  we  see  four  millions  of  human  beings  governed  by 
the  lash — we  see  them  bound  hand  and  foot — we  hear  the  strokes  of  cruel  whips — 
we  see  the  hounds  tracking  women  through  tangled  swamps.  We  see  babes  sold 
from  the  breasts  of  mothers.     Cruelty  unspeakable.     Outrage  infinite  I 

Four  million  bodies  in  chains — four  million  souls  in  fetters.  All  the  sacred  re- 
lations of  wife,  mother,  father,  and  child  trampled  beneath  the  brutal  feet  of 
might,  and  all  this  was  done  under  our  own  beautiful  banner  of  the  free. 

The  past  rises  before  us.  We  hear  the  roar  and  shriek  of  the  bursting  shell. 
The  broken  fetters  fall.  There  heroes  died.  We  look.  Instead  of  slaves  we  see 
men  and  women  and  children.  The  wand  of  progress  touches  the  auction-block, 
the  slave-pen,  and  the  whipping-post,  and  we  see  homes  and  firesides,  and  school- 
houses  and  books,  and  where  all  was  want  and  crime  and  cruelty  and  fear  we  see 
the  faces  of  the  free. 

These  heroes  are  dead.  They  died  for  liberty — they  died  for  us.  They  are  at 
i-est.  They  sleep  in  the  land  they  made  free,  under  the  flag  they  rendered  stain- 
less, under  the  solemn  pines,  the  sad  hemlocks,  the  tearful  willows,  the  embrac- 
ing vines.  They  sleep  beneath  the  shadows  of  the  clouds,  careless  alike  of  sun- 
shine or  storm,  each  in  the  windowless  palace  of  rest.  Earth  may  run  red  with 
other  wars — they  are  at  peace.  In  the  midst  of  battle,  in  the  roar  of  conflict,  they 
found  the  serenity  of  death.  I  have  one  sentiment  for  the  soldiers  living  and 
dead — cheers  for  the  living  and  tears  for  the  dead. 

Among  the  familiar  sights  of  Washington  are  the  long,  black 
lines  of  crows  that  every  evening  in  winter  are  seen  flying  in 
sombre  silence  from  out  the  northeast  toward  their  nests  in  the 
forest  wilds  at  Arlington.  The  gathering  of  these  black  cohorts 
among  the  trees  in  the  city  of  the  dead  is  cleverly  described  in  the 
following  bit  of  word-painting,  by  Philander  Stansbury,  in  "  Short 
Stories :" 

The  Black  Crows  of  Arlington. 

We  stand  upon  the  terraced  heights  of  Fort  Myer,  having  the  wide- 
spread panorama  of  Washington  before  us.  Between  us  and  the  city 
lies  the  broad  river,  now  glowing  with  the  last  rays  of  the  setting 
sun,  and  mirroring  in  its  glassy  surface  the  tall,  white  shaft  of  the 
peerless  monument.  At  our  feet,  almost,  rise  the  stately  tops  of 
the  oaks  of  Arlington — the  camp  of  the  dead.  To  these  oaks 
comes   every   evening   at   sunset  a  countless  army  of  crows,  to 


104 

bivouac  in  safety  and  peace  beneath  the  protection  of  the  National 
Government. 

Are  they  the  spirits  of  those  whose  bones  are  mouldering  be- 
neath those  serried  ranks  of  ugly  contract  stones  ? 

Who  knows  ? 

Silently  they  gather  from  every  point.  From  the  horizon 
banked  with  rosy-tinted  clouds,  they  gradually  emerge  in  twos  and 
threes,  in  tens,  in  companies,  in  regiments,  in  brigades,  in  divisions, 
all  converging  upon  the  common  rendezvous,  the  oaks  of  Ar- 
lington. 

Now.  all  but  a  few  belated  birds  have  reached  the  well-beloved 
spot,  and,  settling  down  among  the  lofty  tree-tops,  they  clamor, 
man-like,  for  space,  where  space  is  ample  for  a  thousand  times 
their  number.  At  leng.th  their  jioise  is  stilled,  and,  as  the  sun's 
red  face  sinks  from  *ight' "befhind  the  distant  hills,  the  hush  of 
evening  settles  upon  the  scene.  .'    ^-. 

Now  from  the  fort  behind  us  breaks  out  the  bugle  call  which 
marks  the  close  of  yet  another  day,  and  then  a  flash,  and  the  deep 
sound  of  the  sunset  gun  goes  booming  out  over  the  placid  river 
and  echoes  back  to  us  from  the  purpling  hills  beyond.  At  the 
sound,  with  a  wild  clamor  like  that  of  suffering  souls  in  purga- 
tory, the  whole  of  that  sable  army  »isje  from  their  places  among 
the  trees,  and,  circling  hurriedly  through. the  air,  give  vent  in  loud 
caws  to  their  surprise  and  terror. 

But  soon  they  sink  again  to  their  accustomed  roost. 

The  last  flush  fades  from  the  western  horizon. 

The  evening  star  emerges,  phoenix-like,  from  the  dying  glory  of 
the  sun. 

The  spirit  of  silence  descends  upon  the  pkce.  The  dead  of 
Arlington  may  rest  in  peace. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 

Return  to  desk  from  which  borrowed. 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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